On the accurate calibration of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry

Abstract

With the great efforts in the past decades, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) has become a routine online technique for disentangling the mechanisms and evaluating the kinetics of complex reactions in electrochemical energy conversion systems. The information gained has shed important insights into the structure–performance relationship of such systems. Besides the qualitative information such as the nature of species involved in electrode processes, it has great advantages in providing kinetic information such as the Faradaic efficiency of complex reactions involving multiple side products with high time resolution. Proper calibration of the mass spectrometer signals is one of the most important pre-conditions for such quantitative analysis. In this mini review, we aim at giving a critical review on the recent advances in the calibration of DEMS by taking the commonly used membrane inlet DEMS as a model system. Effects that interfere the mass signal calibration in DEMS studies and the strategies to overcome the challenges are discussed.