Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI)

Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) is a technique used in mass spectrometry to identify and analyze chemicals. It works by introducing a sample solution into a heated, ionized gas environment at atmospheric pressure. A corona discharge creates energetic particles that transfer charge to the molecules, turning them into ions. These ions are then detected by the mass spectrometer. APCI is particularly effective for analyzing small, less polar compounds, offering fast, sensitive, and efficient analysis without requiring complex sample preparation. It’s widely used in fields like environmental testing, pharmaceuticals, and food safety.