Research →  MION2

MION2

Multi-scheme chemical ionization inlet
MION2 enables a comprehensive analysis of a broad range of chemical compounds present in the environment. This versatile inlet allows the customization of reagent ions to suit various specific applications. 

MION2 brings to the analysis:

Reagent ion and polarity switching in seconds
the injection of ions can be turned off quasi-instantaneously by controlling the electrode voltages

Possibility to use wide range of reagent ions
Br-, NO3-, C4H12N+, C3H7O+

Ionization at ambient pressure
prevents the dilution of a sample 
Only charged reagent ions are injected
into ion-molecule mixing region, preventing neutral reagent molecules from affecting the sample
‍
Sampling of ambient ions  
when voltages are turned off
‍
Negligible fragmentation
owing to soft adduct-forming ionization

Examples of reagent ions and compounds to be detected

Nitrate NO3-
Highly Oxygenated Organic Molecules,
Sulfuric Acid,
Iodine containing species,
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
Bromide Br-
Oxygenated Organic Molecules,
Sulfuric Acid,
Iodine containing species,
HO2 radicals,
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
Aminium C4H12N+
Less Oxygenated Organic Molecules

Resources

Nature: Study of new particle formation from isoprene using MION

A December 2024 Nature study reveals how isoprene emissions drive new particle formation in the upper troposphere. A MION2-CIMS provided key measurements, detecting species critical to nucleation and growth under extreme conditions.
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Analytical Chemistry: Introducing Multi-Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

MPCIMS enables simultaneous detection of Volatile Organic Compounds and their oxidized reaction products within a single gas stream.
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Analytical Chemistry: Fast Polarity Switching of Chemical Ionization Orbitrap MS

The polarity switching MION-Orbitrap system is shown to be a versatile and powerful technique for the online analysis of a wide range of reactive trace species.
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AMT: Multiphysical description of chemical ionisation in MION2

A detailed comparison of two atmospheric pressure interface CIMS inlets: the MION2 inlet and the Eisele type inlet.
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News

Karsa Presenting at ASMS 2025 in Baltimore

28.5.2025
Research
Karsa will be attending the ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics in Baltimore, June 1–5, 2025. Our team will present new developments in chemical ionization mass spectrometry, including novel reagents, instrumentation, and application workflows.
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Karsa at EGU 2025 – Join Us in Vienna!

25.4.2025
Research
Karsa is heading to the EGU General Assembly 2025 in Vienna, where we’ll be sharing our latest research and connecting with the atmospheric science community. Join us at our MION user get-together on Thursday evening, featuring a live demo of the MION2-Orbitrap system at TU Vienna and a casual dinner to follow.
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Introducing Uronium CIMS

24.4.2025
Research
As part of our ongoing mission to simplify and strengthen gas-phase chemical analysis, we’re thrilled to introduce uronium—a reagent cation that brings attomole-level sensitivity to positive-mode CIMS with minimal fuss. By leveraging X-ray desorption of solid urea, uronium CIMS delivers reliable, ultra-trace detection of moderately oxygenated and basic VOCs and SVOCs at ambient pressure
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