Progress and prospect on petroleum analysis by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Petroleum is an ultra-complex hydrocarbon system. Characterization of petroleum has been challenging for the analytical chemistry community. The recent development of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) enables the characterization of petroleum molecular composition. This new technique provides new insights on petroleum chemistry which can result in technological breakthroughs in petroleum and petrochemical industries. In this paper, the mass resolving power and ionization techniques required in mass spectrometry for petroleum analysis are summarized, the advances in FT-ICR MS for petroleum analysis are discussed, and the technique challenges and the further research issues are discussed. Whats more, the prospective of using FT-ICR MS technique for petroleum characterization and its application to petroleum research are also included.