Characterization of a new mobility separation tool: HRIMS as differential mobility analyzer.

High resolution ion mobility spectrometer (HRIMS) is a new instrument that uses parallel plate Differential Mobility Analysis as principle of separation. Gas phase analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been performed for the characterization of this new mobility system using an UV-lamp for ionization. Studies of the effect of temperature and the presence of a desiccant are detailed. Identification of the different peaks obtained with an electrometer was successfully carried out for a group of alcohols, aromatic compounds and ketones (ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-heptanol, acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 2-octanone, benzene, toluene, xylene and bromobenzene) following a modified Millikan equation. Moreover, the investigation of the discrimination capabilities within the different VOCs families as well as the mobility dependence with molecular mass was successfully achieved.