title: Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analysis of low vapor pressure chemical particulates collected from a surface.
abstract: The collection of a low vapor pressure chemical simulant triethyl phosphate sorbed onto silica gel (TEP/SG) from a surface with subsequent analysis of the TEP/SG particulates using desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is described. Collection of TEP/SG particulates on a surface was accomplished using a sticky screen sampler composed of a stainless steel screen coated with partially polymerized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). DESI-MS analysis of TEP/SG particulates containing different percentages of TEP sorbed onto silica gel enabled the generation of response curves for the TEP ions m/z 155 and m/z 127. Using the response curves the calculation of the mass of TEP in a 25 wt% sample of TEP/SG was calculated, results show that the calculated mass of TEP was 14% different from the actual mass of TEP in the sample using the m/z 127 TEP ion response curve. Detection limits for the TEP vapor and TEP/SG particulates were calculated to be 4 μg and 6 particles, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, Infrared Materials and Devices, Code 5620, 4555 Overlook Ave, SW, Washington DC20375, USA. Electronic address: ken.ewing@nrl.navy.mile.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ewing
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, Infrared Materials and Devices, Code 5620, 4555 Overlook Ave, SW, Washington DC20375, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, Infrared Materials and Devices, Code 5620, 4555 Overlook Ave, SW, Washington DC20375, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanghera
authors.affiliation: Sotera Defense Solutions, 2121 Cooperative Way, Herndon, VA, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miklos
keywords: Collection; Desorption electrospray ionization; Low vapor pressure chemical; Mass spectrometry; Sticky screens; Surface