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Title: Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry

Abstract

An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) source and interface has been designed that enables efficient ion production and transmission in a 30 Torr pressure environment using solvents compatible with typical reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) separations. In this design, the electrospray emitter is located inside the mass spectrometer in the same region as an electrodynamic ion funnel. This avoids the use of a conductance limit ion inlet, as required by a conventional atmospheric pressure ESI source, and allows more efficient ion transmission to the mass analyzer. Performance of the low pressure ESI source and interface was evaluated by electrospraying standard solutions at 300 nL/min, and comparing results with those obtained from a standard atmospheric pressure ESI source that used a heated capillary inlet. The importance of desolvation was also investigated by electrospraying at different flow rates, which showed that the ion funnel provided an effective desolvation region to aid the creation of gas phase analyte ions. This initial study demonstrated a ~ 5-fold improvement in sensitivity when the low pressure ESI source was used compared to a standard atmospheric pressure ESI source.

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
926105
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-57906
KP1601010
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 80(5):1800-1805
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 80; Journal Issue: 5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Page, Jason S., Tang, Keqi, Kelly, Ryan T., and Smith, Richard D. Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry. United States: N. p., 2008. Web. doi:10.1021/ac702354b.
Page, Jason S., Tang, Keqi, Kelly, Ryan T., & Smith, Richard D. Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry. United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac702354b
Page, Jason S., Tang, Keqi, Kelly, Ryan T., and Smith, Richard D. 2008. "Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry". United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac702354b.
@article{osti_926105,
title = {Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry},
author = {Page, Jason S. and Tang, Keqi and Kelly, Ryan T. and Smith, Richard D.},
abstractNote = {An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) source and interface has been designed that enables efficient ion production and transmission in a 30 Torr pressure environment using solvents compatible with typical reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) separations. In this design, the electrospray emitter is located inside the mass spectrometer in the same region as an electrodynamic ion funnel. This avoids the use of a conductance limit ion inlet, as required by a conventional atmospheric pressure ESI source, and allows more efficient ion transmission to the mass analyzer. Performance of the low pressure ESI source and interface was evaluated by electrospraying standard solutions at 300 nL/min, and comparing results with those obtained from a standard atmospheric pressure ESI source that used a heated capillary inlet. The importance of desolvation was also investigated by electrospraying at different flow rates, which showed that the ion funnel provided an effective desolvation region to aid the creation of gas phase analyte ions. This initial study demonstrated a ~ 5-fold improvement in sensitivity when the low pressure ESI source was used compared to a standard atmospheric pressure ESI source.},
doi = {10.1021/ac702354b},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/926105}, journal = {Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 80(5):1800-1805},
number = 5,
volume = 80,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2008},
month = {Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2008}
}