Corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons Original Research Article

Positive ion mobility spectra of n-alkanes (n-C5 to n-C19), branched chain alkanes (C5 to C9) and aromatic compounds (benzene and alkylated benzenes) were acquired with an ion mobility spectrometer equipped with a corona discharge ionization source. Reduced mobilities and mass-to-mobility correlation curves were determined for these compounds. Depending on their concentration, the n-alkanes form one or two product ion peaks. The mobilities of product ion peaks regularly decrease with increasing chain length. The same behavior was observed for branched chain alkanes. However, characteristic fragment ions are additionally formed in comparison with n-alkanes. The investigated aromatic hydrocarbons show simple spectra consisting of up to three characteristic product ion peaks. The obtained mass-to-mobility correlation curve differs from that determined using photoionization.