Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of deconvolution for ion mobility spectrometry

Using deconvolution, ion mobility peak shape was found to be dependent upon the nature of the compound, moisture of the drift gas, and acquisition temperature (water clustering) over processes such as ion scavenging and diffusion. Under low moisture conditions, the nature of the compound had greater impact upon peak shape than experimental variables such as temperature. When coeluting compounds were introduced into the mobility spectrometer, peak shape and deconvolution performance were dependent upon the above factors as well as relative concentrations, proton affinities, and differences in the drift times of the mobility peaks of individual components. Deconvolution coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry was employed for interpretation of mixed component mobility spectra.