An experimental investigation into the reduced mobilities of lanthanide cations using high-resolution ion mobility mass spectrometry

Abstract

Reduced mobilities for ground-state electronic configurations of the complete lanthanide series of cations, excluding promethium, have been measured. These values were obtained using an ion mobility mass spectrometer that utilizes a 2m drift tube to generate high-resolution ion mobility data. In all cases, lanthanide cations were generated using pulsed-laser vaporization of either a metal rod or foil target. The mobilities of Eu+, Gd+, Yb+, and Lu+ have been previously examined and these data are also included. All other lanthanide cation mobilities, measured in He, are reported here for the first time. A discussion of the observed trends in the mobilities of the lanthanide series is also provided.