IONICON launches PTR-MS with SRI+ and presents: The Universal Trace Gas Analyzer

Kr+ and Xe+ available as reagent ions with PTR-MS for the first time - nearly all volatile substances can now be detected in low concentrations and online.

IONICON presents the new SRI+ (Switchable Reagent Ions – Plus) feature where Kr+ and Xe+ can be used as reagent ions for chemical ionization of samples in a PTR-MS instrument for the first time (patent pending). In particular, Kr+ has a recombination energy of 14 eV which means that nearly all volatile substances can now be ionized and detected in an IONICON PTR-MS instrument equipped with the new SRI+ option.

The new generation of universal real-time trace gas analyzers from IONICON combines known benefits of soft ionization via Proton-Transfer-Reaction (PTR-MS) with Charge-Transfer-Reaction technology (CTR-MS).

IONICON recently launched the SRI (Switchable Reagent Ions) feature where besides H3O+, the reagent ions NO+ and O2+ are available as an option in combination with PTR-MS.

Now, as the next revolutionary development, IONICON presents the SRI+ feature where Kr+ and Xe+ can be used for CTR ionization. In particular, Kr+, which possesses a high recombination energy, can charge transfer to nearly all volatiles, and in particular to those hydrocarbons which cannot be detected via proton transfer reactions. With this option an IONICON instrument is now capable of detecting nearly all volatile compounds, making our instruments the closest there is to a universal trace gas analyzer.

IONICON CEO Lukas MÄRK explains the rationale behind the development: “PTR-MS has always been one of the most sensitive online mass spectrometry technologies for trace gas measurements and since the launch of SRI we received a lot of positive feedback from the community for this option. In an effort to further increase the versatility of our instruments we continued to invest in ionization technologies and with SRI and now SRI+, our instruments are on the verge of becoming universal trace gas analysers being able to detect a vast and broad range of volatile organic compounds.”

SRI and SRI+ options are available for all new IONICON PTR-MS instruments and for most existing systems as upgrades.

Patent pending: (PCT/EP2011/064170)