Ion mobility spectrometry coupled to chip-based electrochromatography

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Detlev Belder; Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Zimmermann
• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 396430937

The core motivation of the project -Ion mobility spectrometry coupled to chip-based electrochromatography- is the development of a novel analytical tool that enables fast and highly sensitive analysis of complex samples. By fusing electrically driven miniaturized chromatography with ion mobility spectrometry a system combining the desirable features of the two techniques namely high efficiency liquid phase separations and highly sensitive ion detection in the gas phase is to be developed. In contrast to other hyphenated techniques like HPLC/MS, both electrochromatography and ion mobility spectrometry do not require elaborate secondary equipment like pumps which facilitates on-site or portable use of the system. The research focus is on developing of appropriate microfluidic chip interface technology with emphasis on a novel drift tube ion mobility spectrometer with inverted electrical polarity and optional chemical gas phase ionization complementary to electrospray ionization.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants