Abstract
In a previous work, we explored zone broadening and the achievable plate numbers in linear drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometry through developing a plate-height model [1]. On the basis of these findings, the present theoretical study extends the model by exploring peak-to-peak resolution and peak capacity in ion mobility separations. The first part provides a critical overview of chromatography-influenced resolution equations, including refinement of existing formulae. Furthermore, we present exact resolution equations for drift tube ion mobility spectrometry based on first principles. Upon implementing simple modifications, these exact formulae could be readily extended to traveling wave ion mobility separations and to cases when ion mobility spectrometry is coupled to mass spectrometry. The second part focuses on peak capacity. The well-known assumptions of constant plate number and constant peak width form the basis of existing approximate solutions. To overcome their limitations, an exact peak capacity equation is derived for drift tube ion mobility spectrometry. This exact solution is rooted in a suitable physical model of peak broadening, accounting for the finite injection pulse and subsequent diffusional spreading. By borrowing concepts from the theoretical toolbox of chromatography, we believe that the present study will help in integrating ion mobility spectrometry into the unified language of separation science.
Highlights
In recent years, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), both as a stand-alone technique and in combination with MS (IMMS), has been the subject of intense research
Article Related Abbreviations: DTIMS, drift tube ion mobility spectrometry; IM-MS, ion mobility-MS; TWIMS, traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry; virtual migration distances (VMDs), virtual migration distance led to remarkable improvements in the sensitivity, versatility, and resolving power of commercial and custom-built instruments [2]
By merging appropriate mathematical concepts borrowed from chromatography with the physical principles of DTIM separations, approximate and exact equations were derived for peak-to-peak resolution and peak capacity
Summary
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), both as a stand-alone technique and in combination with MS (IMMS), has been the subject of intense research. DTIMS is a gas-phase electrophoretic method, where charged analytes are separated according to their mobilities (K) as they drift through a gas-filled cell, propelled by a static, homogeneous electric field [5]. Plate-height models can be efficiently applied to describe DTIM separations. Having explored zone dispersion in detail previously [1], in the present study we further extend the plate-height model of IM-MS and derive suitable formulae for peak-to-peak resolution and peak capacity
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