Real-Time Measurement of Size-Resolved Chemical Composition and Their Mixing State in Particles by Single Particle Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Single particle mass spectrometric (SPMS) technique enables us to investigate chemical composition of individual particles with diameter from 100 nm to several µm in real-time without any cumbersome chemical treatment and analysis. SPMS also can detect a wide range of chemical compounds such as inorganic, organic, metal composition, and biological matter, including refractory materials, such as elemental carbon, sea salt, and dust, which are difficult to be analyzed with other on-line chemical particle analyzers. Since its introduction to aerosol research, SPMS technique has developed new fields in aerosol chemistry and physics by providing information on chemical composition and mixing state and their variability in time, space, and geographical location. In this review, starting with an overview on the SPMS instruments and history of the SPMS technique, aerosol researches which utilized unique capability of SPMS are briefly reviewed.