Chemical conversion for ion mobility detectors using surface interactions

摘要

An ion mobility detector in which selectivity and sensitivity is enhanced by converting through surface interactions sample gas or vapor to a form more readily ionized or by converting through surface interactions interferent gas or vapor to a form less readily ionized. To accomplish the conversion, samples may be passed through a catalytically reactive filter prior to injection into the detector reaction region; exposed to a reactive coating placed on the surface of a permeable membrane prior to diffusion therethrough into the reaction region or exposed to a reactive coating placed on the interior walls of the reaction region.