Frequently Asked Questions

What is PTR-MS?
What are VOCs?
What are advantages of PTR-MS compared to other online MS systems?
What are advantages of PTR-MS compared to a conventional GC system?
Is there a possibility to test what PTR-MS can do for me?

I need assistance with my PTR-MS system!
Is there someone who will do the maintenance work for me?
Are there any references?

What is PTR-MS?

PTR-MS is the abbreviation for proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, invented and developed by scientists of the Institut für Ionenphysik at the Leopold Franzens Universität Innsbruck. Ionicon Analytik has further developed this technology and produces PTR-MS instruments for customers all over the world.

PTR-MS allows its user to measure and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in real-time, online and with a detection limit of a few pptv.

The PTR-MS technique uses our very soft ionization method where water vapour is ionized to H₃O⁺ ions. Compounds with a higher proton affinity than water can be detected. For detailed technical information please refer to our technology page.
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What are VOCs?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. The term "organic" indicates that the compounds contain carbon. There are thousands of different VOCs produced and used in our daily lives.

PTR-MS solutions of Ionicon Analytik can detect most of the common VOCs in very low concentrations (pptv-range). Several applications exist where monitoring and quantification of trace amounts of VOCs is important.

VOCs can be harmful, influence negatively the quality of products but can also be indicators for quality in the food industry, the semiconductors business and other production plants.

Our customers are active in atmospheric chemistry, in environmental research and trace gas analysis (e.g. emissions in urban and remote areas, indoor spaces, vehicles), food and flavour science (e.g. analysis of coffee, olive oil, butter, cheese, wine, herbal extracts and aromas). We also develop industrial VOC monitoring solutions (e.g. in waste incineration plant, chemical factories and production sites).
Human breath analysis for diagnostic purposes and process-control research in biotechnology are carried out by our subsidiary company Ionimed Analytik.
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What are advantages of PTR-MS compared to other online MS systems?

PTR-MS uses a soft ionization method based on proton transfer from H₃O⁺ ions to all compounds with a higher proton affinity than that of water. Common constituents of air, such as N₂, O₂, Ar, CO₂ etc. have a lower proton affinity than H₂O and are therefore not ionized. This leads to our market-leading low detection threshold for trace compounds of a few pptv. Our very soft ionization technique avoids mass fragmentation, which enhances the interpretability of mass spectra obtained.

Selective qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace compounds in outstanding short measurement times combined with a linearity range of the system covering five to six orders of magnitude satisfy the highest claims of the worlds' best scientists.
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What are advantages of PTR-MS compared to a conventional GC system?

A gas chromatograph (GC) analyses samples over long time intervals thus making continuous monitoring impossible. IONICON PTR-MS instruments measure in real-time and online, with the entire cycle quantified and saved.

Direct injection of whole-air and headspace samples without preparation contributes to the speed and simplicity that is common to all our instruments. Water vapour in high concentrations or varying over time is no limitation when using PTR-MS. Even though PTR-MS can detect in real-time and online, the detection threshold is as low as 5 pptv.
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Is there a possibility to test what PTR-MS can do for me?

IONIOCON is pleased to show you how our products perform. We welcome you at our company site in Innsbruck, Austria. If you are interested in a personal demonstration, feel free to contact us and bring samples with you! In addition, please refer to our events schedule and check for upcoming exhibitions and conferences where our instruments will be demonstrated.
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I need assistance with my PTR-MS system!

Customer care is very important to us. In the support area of our web site you will find manuals, instruction sheets, software and a discussion forum. If you still encounter problems you can always contact our technical specialists.
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Is there someone who will do the maintenance work for me?

We offer maintenance contracts to our systems that cover the regular service work for up to three years. We can propose very flexible service offers that are adapted to your budget. We strongly recommend you to top up your PTR-MS solution with a service contract from Ionicon Analytik. Our specialists do the maintenance work quickly and efficiently, ensuring that your system is configured and operated in optimal conditions.
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Are there any references?

We have sold more than 100 PTR-MS instruments to well known universities, research institutes and multinational companies all over the world in our young company history of 10 years into business and are expanding. If you would like to see what people publish using IONICON PTR-MS instruments, please check our publication list.
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