A Concise Review on Time of Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrum

Author: Dr. Khamis Ali Atayalla
Specialist in instrumental analysis (analytical chemistry), Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Bani Walid University, Libya
Email: khamis.ali.atayalla@gmail.com
doi.org/10.52132/Ajrsp.e.2023.55.4


Abstract:

Time of Flight Mass Spectrum is a method of mass spectrometer depending on the time which has been taking to reach the detector (usually located between 1 to 2 min from the source to separate ions) where the Sample is taken and mixed with matrix {the matrix is made up by chemical compound (2,4 Benzoic acid and cinamic acid) and they act as chemical cross link to produce matrix}. The energy source of this procedure is laser. Never the less, the ratio between sample and the matrix is 1:10,000 in order to prevent hampering the. However, TOF has some advantages such as unlimited upper ( mass /charge ) values to be detect, high resolution, good definition of narrow chromatographic peaks , good sensitivity and high quality spectra, High accurate mass measurement to the nearest 0.1 millimass unit for determining the elemental composition for ions less than 500 Da and It can perform tandem MS. Never the less, it has some drawbacks as requiring higher vacuum, Resolution changes with m/z value and high cost equipment. We conclude from this paper that: TOF is considered as one of the best mass filters because of unlimited upper (mass / charge) values to be detected as well as the capability of acquiring rapidly for averaging and good definition of narrow chromatographic peaks.

Keywords:

Instrumental analysis, TOF, Detectors and acceleration

Download PDF
AJRSP
International peer-reviewed journal
Established in 2019
ISSN: 2706-6495
Email: editor@ajrsp.com

Ongoing Issue: 77
Publication Date:
5 September 2025

Peer-Review statement

All articles published in this journal undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review by independent experts to ensure academic integrity and research quality.

Review Timeline

Avg. Time for Desk Review:
1–2 weeks
Avg. Time per Review Round:
3–4 weeks

Helpful Links
  • Author Guidelines
  • Review Guidelines
  • Publication Fields
  • Publication Fee
  • Manuscript Template
  • Journal Policies
  • Journal Indexing
  • Contact us

  • Archive
  • Current Issue
  • Archive
  • All copyrights reserved to the Academic Journal of Research and Scientific Publishing by Creative Commons License

    ajrsp