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Probing Aqueous Surfaces by ToF-SIMS

Journal Article · · LCGC North America
OSTI ID:1029082
We report the first observations of aqueous surfaces by a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (ToF-SIMS) via a self-contained microfluidic module compatible in vacuum. The interface uses a microfluidic channel with a 3 {micro}m diameter window into the flowing fluid beneath it. This window supports the liquid against the vacuum by the liquid's surface tension and limits the high-density vapor region traversed by the probe beams to only a few micrometers. We demonstrate detections of aqueous surfaces such as deuterium water and sodium iodide (NaI) solution through the small aperture by ToF-SIMS. Even more, molecular signals (M-H-) of glutamic acid (C5H8NO4-) are observed. ToF-SIMS coupled with the novel interface provides a molecular recognition capability, making it a great choice to detect short-lifetime reaction intermediates in aqueous solutions. This novel microfluidic interface makes multimodal vacuum based analysis of liquid surface possible.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1029082
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-82014; 42330; 36603; 36601; KC0301020
Journal Information:
LCGC North America, Journal Name: LCGC North America
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English