Autori: Ioan Marginean, Ryan T. Kelly, David C. Prior, Brian L. LaMarche, Keqi Tang, Richard D. Smith

Editorial: Analytical Chemistry, 80 (17), p.6573–6579, 2008.

Rezumat:

A detailed characterization of a conventional low-flow electrospray ionization (ESI) source for mass spectrometry (MS) using solution compositions typical of reversedphase liquid chromatography is reported. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the pulsating regime consistently provided better ESI-MS performance than the cone-jet regime for the interface and experimental conditions studied. This observation is supported by additional measurements showing that a conventional heated capillary interface affords more efficient sampling and transmission for the charged aerosol generated by a pulsating electrospray. The pulsating electrospray provided relatively constant MS signal intensities over a wide range of voltages, while the signal decreased slightly with increasing voltage for the cone-jet electrospray. The MS signal also decreased with increasing emitter-interface distance for both pulsating and cone-jet electrosprays due to the expansion of the charged aerosol plume. At flow rates below 100 nL/min, the MS signal increased with increasing flow rate due to increased number of gas-phase ions produced. At flow rates greater than 100 nL/min, the signal reached a plateau due to decreasing ionization efficiency at larger flow rates. These results suggest approaches for improving MS interface performance for low-flow (nano- to micro-) electrosprays.

Cuvinte cheie: electrospray

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac800683s