Design and evaluation of a novel hemispherical FAIMS cell

High-field asymmetric-waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) is a rapidly growing gas-phase separation technique with a wide variety of applications. The geometry of the FAIMS cell influences ion transmission and resolution. Commercial FAIMS systems employ planar or cylindrical cell geometries. A spherical or hemispherical FAIMS cell would allow ions to travel equal path lengths through the FAIMS device while minimizing diffusional losses, improving ion resolution without sacrificing ion transmission. Here we detail the development of a novel hemispherical FAIMS cell and demonstrate the separation of a mixture of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 3,4-dinitrotoluene (3,4-DNT). The resolution between TNT and 3,4-DNT using the hemispherical FAIMS cell is improved over that achieved with a commercial cylindrical cell while maintaining equivalent ion transmission. The novel hemispherical FAIMS cell provides improved resolution and resolving powers when compared to a commercially available cell.

Graphical abstractA novel hemispherical FAIMS cell is introduced which allows ions to travel equal path lengths while minimizing diffusional losses and improving ion resolution without sacrificing ion transmission.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (76 K)Download as PowerPoint slide