title: Determination of organic compounds from wood combustion aerosol nanoparticles by different gas chromatographic systems and by aerosol mass spectrometry.
abstract: Organic compounds in atmospheric nanoparticles have an effect on human health and the climate. The determination of these particles is challenged by the difficulty of sampling, the complexity of sample composition, and the trace-level concentrations of the compounds. Meeting the challenge requires the development of sophisticated sampling systems for size-resolved particles and the optimization of sensitive, accurate and simple analytical techniques and methods. A new sampling system is proposed where particles are charged with a bipolar charger and size-segregated with a differential mobility analyzer. This system was successfully used to sample particles from wood pyrolysis with particle sizes 30-100nm. Particles were analyzed by four techniques: comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry, and aerosol mass spectrometry (aerosol MS). In the chromatographic techniques, particles were collected on a filter and analyzed off-line after sample preparation, whereas in the aerosol MS, particle analysis was performed directly from the particle source. Target compounds of the samples were polyaromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes. The analytical techniques were compared and their advantages and disadvantages were evaluated. The sampling system operated well and target compounds were identified in low concentrations.
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Totti
authors: T
authors: Laitinen
authors: Sara Herrero
authors: SH
authors: Martín
authors: Jevgeni
authors: J
authors: Parshintsev
authors: Tuulia
authors: T
authors: Hyötyläinen
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Hartonen
authors: Marja-Liisa
authors: ML
authors: Riekkola
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Kulmala
authors: José Luis Pérez
authors: JL
authors: Pavón
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D014835:Volatilization; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D009930:Organic Chemicals