Investigating aerosol chemistry using Real-Time Single Particle Mass Spectrometry: A viewpoint on its recent development. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xiaofei; Zhang, Yaping; Yang, Xin
• Is Part Of: Applied geochemistry. Volume 149(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Atmospheric aerosol -- Real-time single particle mass spectrometry (RTSPMS) -- Mixing state; Environmental geochemistry -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; 551.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2022.105554
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-2927

Abstract

Abstract: Atmospheric aerosols have drawn much attention due to their climate and health impacts. Every aerosol particle in the air would have its unique size and chemical composition. Real-time single particle mass spectrometry (RTSPMS) is a widely used technique to measure the information of individual aerosol particles. This paper briefly describes the general operating principles of modern RTSPMS, and reviews the history of its development as well as the recent progress. The potential future advancements of this method, such as quantification of particle size distribution measurement, aerosol density measurement, reducing the variation of laser desorption/ionization, and improving mass resolution, are specifically brought forward and discussed in detail. Highlights: This perspective reviews the development of RTSPMS in the last 50 years. The advantages and disadvantages of RTSPMS have been analyzed in detail. The possible future developments of RTSPMS are specifically discussed.