Description
The charging of particles and similarly the neutralization of charged particles is typically done by ionizing radiation that produces high concentrations of bipolar ions in the carrier gas. Subsequent diffusion of the ions to the particles passing through the charger/neutralizer leads to particle charging/neutralization (Hinds, Aerosol Technology, J. Wiley & Sons, 1999). For sufficiently high ion concentrations and residence times charge equilibrium is reached inside the charger leading to a known size-dependent charging probability (Fuchs, Geofis. Pura. Appl. 56, 185, 1963). Particles below 10 nm in diameter are typically difficult to charge and carry one electrical charge at maximum. Together with high diffusional losses in this size range quantitative particle sizing below 10 nm is extremely challenging. Hence, a higher charging efficiency is of importance to improve the counting statistics in the sub-10 nm regime. We characterized a non-thermal plasma source (Gilbert Mark I plasma charger, Gruenwald Laboratories GmbH, Austria) for the use as a calibration tool for API-MS and as an aerosol charger. Due to its simply switching on/off mode, this stable source of highly concentrated ions is ideally suited for the calibration of atmospheric pressure interface mass spectrometers (API-MS). In addition, the plasma source revealed great potential to act as an ozone generator by changing the working gas, for example, to argon. In summary, we were able to quantitatively characterize the Gilbert Mark I plasma charger for the use as an aerosol neutralizer/charger or as a calibration tool for API-MS.| Period | 27 Aug 2019 |
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| Event title | European Aerosol Conference 2019 |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Göteborg, SwedenShow on map |