Аннотация:T he first Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR- MS) instrument was built ten years ago in our laboratories at the Institute of Ion Physics of the University of Innsbruck.In PTR-MS we use H3 0 + ions to ionise volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in gaseous media, e.g. in air.This technique enables a variety of organic species in complex matrices to be monitored in real-time, with detection limits as low as a few parts per trillion, volume (pptv).In 1998 we founded the spin-off company Ionicon Analytik GmbH to provide this technique to a growing user community.Today we manufacture and sell PTR-MS instruments throughout the world.Our customers include noted multinational companies and renowned research institutions in the fields of environmental and food technology.This review covers the main principles of PTR-MS and shows key aca demic and commercial application areas in the market place.
