Vacuum ultraviolet single-photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (VUV-SPI-TOFMS) has been applied for the detection of chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, and o-chlorophenol as surrogates for polychlorinated dibenzo-pdioxine/furans (PCDD/F). The photoionization mass spectra of these compounds appear to be fragmentation free in the ionization processes by the VUV-SPI at 10.2 eV (121.6 nm). Quantum chemical calculations support no fragmentation in the photoionization of chlorobenzene derivatives at around 10 eV. The absolute photoionization cross-sections of chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, and o-chlorophenol were estimated at 10.2 eV. The photoionization cross-section is an important parameter in the detection of chlorobenzene derivatives by the single-photon ionization technique. The detection limit for chlorobenzene is on the order of tenth parts-per-billion volume (ppbv) in the present experimental setup.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.