Development of a Novel Mass Spectrometer for in situ Detection of Electrochemical and Photochemical Products in Solutions.

本研究的主要目的是开发一种新型质谱仪，用于原位检测溶液中电化学和光化学过程的产物，这是传统质谱仪无法检测的。目前的研究发现，该新方法可用于研究CO_2还原和水氧化等电化学和光化学过程的反应机理，也可用于开发新型催化剂。此外，在本研究中，我们还研究了以下内容，以开发实用的新仪器：1）通过加速反应物和产物的传质以及提高抽空率来改善响应时间； 2) 通过溶液和真空之间的膜进行质谱检查产品的选择性渗透； 3) 通过加速传质和减少溶剂干扰来提高灵敏度； 4) 改进质谱仪的电化学和光化学电池。此外，还考察了本方法在其他领域的应用。研究发现，在有机电致发光（EL）器件性能过程中可以检测到少量的气态产物。研究结果有助于研究EL器件的退化机制，并将用于提高EL器件的寿命。还研究了本方法在纳米加工过程中化学过程研究中的应用。

The main object of this research is to develop a novel mass spectrometer for in situ detection of products of electrochemical and photochemical processes in solutions, which cannot be detected conventional mass spectrometer. It was found from the present research that the new method can be used to study the reaction mechanisms of electrochemical and photochemical processes such as CO_2 reduction and water oxidation and also can be used to develop new catalysts.Furthermore in the present research, we have studied the followings for developing new instruments for practical use : 1) improvement in response time by accelerating mass-transport of reactants and products and by increasing evacuation rate ; 2) examination of selective permeation of products through a membrane between a solution and vacuum for mass spectrometry ; 3) improvement in sensitivity by accelerating mass-transport and by decreasing disturbance of solvents ; 4) modification of electrochemical and photochemical cells for the mass spectrometer. In addition, application of the present method to other fields was also examined. It was found that a small amount of gaseous products during performance of organic electroluminescence (EL) devices can be detected. The results were useful to study degradation mechanism of EL devices and will be used to improve the lifetime of EL devices. Application of the present method to the study of chemical processes during nano-processing was also investigated.