Issue 1, 2016

Analytical potential of rf-PGD-TOFMS for depth profiling of an oxidized thin film composite

Abstract

The capabilities of radiofrequency pulsed glow discharge time of flight mass spectrometry (rf-pulsed-GD-TOFMS) for the analysis of thin film composite membranes have been investigated in this work. These semi-permeable membranes, used for water purification and desalinization, consist of a thin film of polyamide on top of a polysulfone porous layer deposited on a support sheet of polyester. The analysed samples were four oxidized swatches obtained using NaClO or ClO2 (diluted in seawater) as oxidizing agents, and a non-oxidized virgin membrane. The performance of the rf-pulsed-GD-TOFMS prototype was investigated for the detection of both positive and negative analyte ions. Improved depth profiles could be achieved using an Ar pre-chamber that prevented the entry of air in the discharge. The detection of polyatomic ion signals was needed to monitor properly the transition between the subsequent sputtered membrane layers. In particular, NH3+ and 12C14N polyatomic ions were mainly found at the polyamide layer (in the positive and negative detection modes, respectively), while 34S+ and 33S1H ion signals appeared in the polysulfone layer. Qualitative depth profiles of the oxidized samples showed an intense Br ion signal in the polyamide layer. Moreover, the Br ion signal was significantly enhanced when NaClO was used as the oxidizing agent, in agreement with previous studies. It is considered that the incorporation of Br into the membranes is a consequence of its presence in seawater and of the oxidation process.

Graphical abstract: Analytical potential of rf-PGD-TOFMS for depth profiling of an oxidized thin film composite

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 جمادى الثانية 1436
Accepted
25 رجب 1436
First published
25 رجب 1436

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016,31, 288-296

Author version available

Analytical potential of rf-PGD-TOFMS for depth profiling of an oxidized thin film composite

C. González-Gago, J. Pisonero, R. Sandín, J. F. Fuertes, A. Sanz-Medel and N. Bordel, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016, 31, 288 DOI: 10.1039/C5JA00104H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements