title: Single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry for the detection and identification of chemical warfare agent simulants.
abstract: Single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) was used for the real-time detection of liquid nerve agent simulants. A total of 1000 dual-polarity time-of-flight mass spectra were obtained for micrometer-sized single particles each of dimethyl methyl phosphonate, diethyl ethyl phosphonate, diethyl phosphoramidate, and diethyl phthalate using laser fluences between 0.58 and 7.83 nJ/microm2, and mass spectral variation with laser fluence was studied. The mass spectra obtained allowed identification of single particles of the chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants at each laser fluence used although lower laser fluences allowed more facile identification. SPAMS is presented as a promising real-time detection system for the presence of CWAs.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Farquar
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Gard
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Fergenson
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000032:analysis*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; C031116:dimethyl methylphosphonate