Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometer Research Articles

Charging Effects in Inlet Capillaries.

Glass or metal inlet capillaries are commonly used for flow restriction in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers. They exhibit a high ion transmission rate and stability at most operating conditions. However, transferring unipolar currents of ions through inlet capillaries can lead to sudden signal dropouts or drifts of the signal intensity, particularly when materials of different conductivity are in contact with the capillary duct. Molecular layers of water and other gases such as liquid chromatography solvents always form on the surfaces of inlet capillaries at atmospheric pressure ionization conditions. These surface layers play a major role in ion transmission and the occurrence of charging effects, as ions adsorb on the capillary walls as well, charging the walls to electric potentials of up to kilovolts and eventually leading to a hindrance of ion transport into or through the capillary duct. In this work, surface charging effects are reported in dependence on the capillary material, i.e., borosilicate glass, (reduced) lead silicate, quartz, and metal. Low electrical conductance materials show a more pronounced long-term signal drift (e.g., quartz), while higher electrical conductance materials lead to stable long-term behavior.

Observation of charged droplets from electrospray ionization (ESI) plumes in API mass spectrometers

Electrospray ionization (ESI) generates bare analyte ions from charged droplets, which result from spraying a liquid in a strong electric field. Experimental observations available in the literature suggest that at least a significant fraction of the initially generated droplets remain large, have long lifetimes, and can thus aspirate into the inlet system of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS). We report on the observation of fragment signatures from charged droplets penetrating deeply the vacuum stages of three commercial mass spectrometer systems with largely different ion source and spray configurations. Charged droplets can pass through the ion source and pressure reduction stages and even into the mass analyzer region. Since droplet signatures were found in all investigated instruments, the incorporation of charged droplets is considered a general phenomenon occurring with common spray conditions in ESI sources.

High-pressure ESI-MS made easy using a plug-and-play ion source and its application to highly conductive aqueous solutions.

The performance of a compact high-pressure electrospray ionization (HP-ESI) source that can be readily used for commercial atmospheric pressure ionization (API) mass spectrometers is reported. The ion source employs a converging-diverging outlet nozzle, and ions/droplets generated inside the high-pressure compartment are carried by the high-velocity air jet toward the mass spectrometry (MS) ion inlet placed under the atmospheric pressure. With the use of a shielding electrode, the HP-ESI can also be operated with its emitter held at ground potential. This feature prevents the flow of current from the emitter to other electrically grounded components and facilitates the connection of ion source to liquid chromatography (LC) columns or capillary electrophoresis. Sensitive detection of proteins from highly conductive aqueous solutions such as 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution and the prevention of electrochemical artifacts by the grounded emitter operation are demonstrated.

Morphologic and Chemotaxonomic Studies of Some Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae) in Zagros Region, Iran

The genus Teucrium L. is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to Lamiaceae family and Ajugoideae subfamily. The present study aims to evaluate the taxonomic status of the Teucrium species using both morphological and flavonoid characteristics and to determine the flavonoid classes. A total of 64 accessions belonged to eight species, and five subspecies were collected from different Zagros regions, Iran. Twenty-nine quantitative and qualitative morphological characters were studied. Extraction of leaf flavonoid was accomplished using a rotary evaporator and MeOH 90%. Identification of the chemotaxonomic position and flavonoid class of Teucrium species was investigated by thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Micromass Quattro micro Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometer. All information was analyzed using NTSYS pc. 2, PAST v.3.18 and Cluster Vis v. 1.8.2. According to the findings, T. polium accessions significantly revealed the highest value of morphological and flavonoid variations. All subspecies of T. orientale were definitely separated, but some relationships were observed between its subspecies, including taylori and glabrescens. All members of two sections of Polium and Teucris were definitely recognized. A total of seven flavonoid classes were determined from which the highest amounts of abundance were attributed to flavones (18) and isoflavones (17). In conclusion, morphological and flavonoid markers were introduced as appropriate characteristics in the taxonomic relationships of Teucrium species. All the evidence of the present research was first described for Iran.

Outgassing characteristics analysis of mechanical cryocooler materials

Three types of outgassing rate measurements were conducted for the constituent materials of a single-stage Stirling (1ST) cooler: outgas measurement by total mass loss in a vacuum environment; outgassing rate measurement using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) in a vacuum environment; and outgassing rate measurement using the Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometer (API-MS) in an argon gas flowing environment. Relative comparisons of the adsorption energy and outgassing rate were made based on these measurement results. It was confirmed that the outgassing rate of the cold head polyimide part and compressor voice coil was dominant.

Considerations for uranium isotope ratio analysis by atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.

The accurate measurement of uranium isotope ratios from trace samples lies at the foundation of achieving nuclear nonproliferation. These challenging measurements necessitate both the continued characterization and evaluation of evolving mass spectrometric technologies as well as the propagation of sound measurement approaches. For the first time in this work, we present the analysis of uranium isotope ratio measurements from discrete liquid injections with an ultra-high-resolution hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Also presented are important measurement considerations for evaluating the performance of this type and other atmospheric pressure and ambient ionization mass spectrometers for uranium isotope analysis. Specifically, as the goal of achieving isotope ratios from as little as a single picogram of solid material is approached, factors such as mass spectral sampling rate, collision induced dissociation (CID) potentials, and mass resolution can dramatically alter the measured isotope ratio as a function of mass loading. We present the ability to accurately measure 235UO2+/238UO2+ down to 10s of picograms of solubilized uranium oxide through a proper consideration of mass spectral parameters while identifying limitations and opportunities for pushing this limit further.

Oral Administration of (S)-Allyl-l-Cysteine and Aged Garlic Extract to Rats: Determination of Metabolites and Their Pharmacokinetics.

(S)-Allyl-l-cysteine is the major bioactive compound in garlic. (S)-Allyl-l-cysteine is metabolized to (S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide, N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine, and N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide after oral administration. An accurate LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of (S)-allyl-l-cysteine and its metabolites in rat plasma, and the feasibility of using it in pharmacokinetic studies was tested. The analytes were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring using an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. Because significant quantitative interference was observed between (S)-allyl-l-cysteine and N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine as a result of the decomposition of N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine at the detector source, chromatographic separation was required to discriminate (S)-allyl-l-cysteine and its metabolites on a reversed-phase C18 analytical column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. The calibration curves of (S)-allyl-l-cysteine, (S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide, N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine, and N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide were linear over each concentration range, and the lower limits of quantification were 0.1 µg/mL [(S)-allyl-l-cysteine and N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine] and 0.25 µg/mL [(S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide and N-acetyl-(S)-allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide]. Acceptable intraday and inter-day precisions and accuracies were obtained at three concentration levels. The method satisfied the regulatory requirements for matrix effects, recovery, and stability. The validated LC-MS/MS method was successfully used to determine the concentration of (S)-allyl-l-cysteine and its metabolites in rat plasma samples after the administration of (S)-allyl-l-cysteine or aged garlic extract.

Oxide-Oxide Thermocompression Direct Bonding Technologies with Capillary Self-Assembly for Multichip-to-Wafer Heterogeneous 3D System Integration.

Plasma- and water-assisted oxide-oxide thermocompression direct bonding for a self-assembly based multichip-to-wafer (MCtW) 3D integration approach was demonstrated. The bonding yields and bonding strengths of the self-assembled chips obtained by the MCtW direct bonding technology were evaluated. In this study, chemical mechanical polish (CMP)-treated oxide formed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) as a MCtW bonding interface was mainly employed, and in addition, wafer-to-wafer thermocompression direct bonding was also used for comparison. N2 or Ar plasmas were utilized for the surface activation. After plasma activation and the subsequent supplying of water as a self-assembly mediate, the chips with the PE-CVD oxide layer were driven by the liquid surface tension and precisely aligned on the host wafers, and subsequently, they were tightly bonded to the wafers through the MCtW oxide-oxide direct bonding technology. Finally, a mechanism of oxide-oxide direct bonding to support the previous models was discussed using an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (APIMS).

Gas Flow Dynamics in Inlet Capillaries: Evidence for non Laminar Conditions.

In this work, the characteristics of gas flow in inlet capillaries are examined. Such inlet capillaries are widely used as a first flow restriction stage in commercial atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers. Contrary to the common assumption, we consider the gas flow in typical glass inlet capillaries with 0.5 to 0.6 mm inner diameters and lengths about 20 cm as transitional or turbulent. The measured volume flow of the choked turbulent gas stream in such capillaries is 0.8 L·min(-1) to 1.6 L·min(-1) under typical operation conditions, which is in good agreement to theoretically calculated values. Likewise, the change of the volume flow in dependence of the pressure difference along the capillary agrees well with a theoretical model for turbulent conditions as well as with exemplary measurements of the static pressure inside the capillary channel. However, the results for the volume flow of heated glass and metal inlet capillaries are neither in agreement with turbulent nor with laminar models. The velocity profile of the neutral gas in a quartz capillary with an inner diameter similar to commercial inlet capillaries was experimentally determined with spatially resolved ion transfer time measurements. The determined gas velocity profiles do not contradict the turbulent character of the flow. Finally, inducing disturbances of the gas flow by placing obstacles in the capillary channel is found to not change the flow characteristics significantly. In combination the findings suggest that laminar conditions inside inlet capillaries are not a valid primary explanation for the observed high ion transparency of inlet capillaries under common operation conditions. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Revisiting benzene cluster cations for the chemical ionization of dimethyl sulfide and select volatile organic compounds

Abstract. Benzene cluster cations were revisited as a sensitive and selective reagent ion for the chemical ionization of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and a select group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Laboratory characterization was performed using both a new set of compounds (i.e., DMS, β-caryophyllene) as well as previously studied VOCs (i.e., isoprene, α-pinene). Using a field deployable chemical-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (CI-ToFMS), benzene cluster cations demonstrated high sensitivity (> 1 ncps ppt−1) to DMS, isoprene, and α-pinene standards. Parallel measurements conducted using a chemical-ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer, with a much weaker electric field, demonstrated that ion–molecule reactions likely proceed through a combination of ligand-switching and direct charge transfer mechanisms. Laboratory tests suggest that benzene cluster cations may be suitable for the selective ionization of sesquiterpenes, where minimal fragmentation (< 25 %) was observed for the detection of β-caryophyllene, a bicyclic sesquiterpene. The in-field stability of benzene cluster cations using CI-ToFMS was examined in the marine boundary layer during the High Wind Gas Exchange Study (HiWinGS). The use of benzene cluster cation chemistry for the selective detection of DMS was validated against an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer, where measurements from the two instruments were highly correlated (R2 > 0.95, 10 s averages) over a wide range of sampling conditions.

Expanding metabolite coverage of real-time breath analysis by coupling a universal secondary electrospray ionization source and high resolution mass spectrometry—a pilot study on tobacco smokers

Online breath analysis is an attractive approach to track exhaled compounds without sample preparation. Current commercially available real-time breath analysis platforms require the purchase of a full mass spectrometer. Here we present an ion source compatible with virtually any preexisting atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer that allows real-time analysis of breath. We illustrate the capabilities of such technological development by upgrading an orbitrap mass spectrometer. As a result, we detected compounds in exhaled breath between 70 and 900 Da, with a mass accuracy of typically <1 ppm; resolutions between m/Δm 22 000 and 70 000 and fragmentation capabilities. The setup was tested in a pilot study, comparing the breath of smokers (n = 9) and non-smokers (n = 10). Exogenous compounds associated to smoking, as well as endogenous metabolites suggesting increased oxidative stress in smokers, were detected and in some cases identified unambiguously. Most of these compounds correlated significantly with smoking frequency and allowed accurate discrimination of smokers and non-smokers.

Numerical modeling and experimental validation of a universal secondary electrospray ionization source for mass spectrometric gas analysis in real-time

The process by which ambient vapors are ionized upon interaction with electrosprays is not fully understood, compromising its optimization and widespread use. In this work we evaluated the different scales associated with the processes involved in secondary electrospray ionization (SESI), and developed a new numerical method that merges the analytical solution that describes the angle of aperture and the current of an ideal electrospray, with a finite element method that enables the evaluation of complex geometries. The numerical method showed that, despite the low ionization efficiency (i.e. ion concentration/neutral vapor concentration ∼10−4), depletion of neutral vapors plays an important role. We used this method to optimize and design a low flow SESI source, which was coupled with a commercial high resolution/high mass accuracy mass spectrometer. The system was designed to be interfaced with virtually any pre-existing atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The experimental validation for the detection of ambient vapors confirmed qualitatively the numerical predictions in terms of ionization efficiency as a function of sample flow rate. As a result of the optimization, this prototype showed a 5-fold sensitivity increase against standard SESI. This novel add-on is meant to upgrade mass spectrometers to analyze trace gases in real time by SESI technique.

Reproducibility and quantification of illicit drugs using matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) mass spectrometry.

Matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) mass spectrometry (MS) is a simple and sensitive method for analysis of low- and high-mass compounds, requiring only that the analyte in a suitable matrix be exposed to the inlet aperture of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. Here, we evaluate the reproducibility of MAI and its potential for quantification using six drug standards. Factors influencing reproducibility include the matrix compound used, temperature, and the method of sample introduction. The relative standard deviation (RSD) using MAI for a mixture of morphine, codeine, oxymorphone, oxycodone, clozapine, and buspirone and their deuterated internal standards using the matrix 3-nitrobenzonitrile is less than 10% with either a Waters SYNAPT G2 or a Thermo LTQ Velos mass spectrometer. The RSD values obtained using MAI are comparable to those using ESI or MALDI on these instruments. The day-to-day reproducibility of MAI determined for five consecutive days with internal standards was better than 20% using manual sample introduction. The reproducibility improved to better than 5% using a mechanically assisted sample introduction method. Hydrocodone, present in a sample of undiluted infant urine, was quantified with MAI using the standard addition method.

Studies of the ionization chemistry in the re-circulation loop of the differential mobility spectrometer analyzer used to monitor air quality in the international space station

In-flight monitoring of volatile organic compounds on the International Space Station (ISS) has been routine since 2009 using gas chromatography, with a preconcentration inlet, and a differential mobility spectrometer detector; first as a station detailed technical objective (SDTO) instrument and then as the air quality monitor (AQM), a fully integrated instrument including imbedded computer for control and data acquisition. A combination of AQM with an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer was developed to allow exploration of instrument behavior associated with the composition of the internal re-circulated gas atmosphere. The first aspects of AQM to be explored using the AQM-mass spectrometer included explanations for mobility drift of the negative reactant ion peak, methanol, and acetaldyehyde peaks (carbon dioxide in the gas recirculation loop) with operation on ISS. The AQM-mass spectrometer system helped ascertain the identity of artifact peaks in the negative polarity associated with materials in the flow system of AQM. Further experiments investigated the influence of water from humidity in ambient air, which is absorbed on the preconcentration trap during sampling and desorbed into the gas chromatograph-differential mobility spectrometer (GC-DMS) measurement and the incorporation of a trap purge to reduce effects of water co-eluting with target contaminants.

Experimental study of particle formation by ion-ion recombination.

Particle formation by ion-ion recombination has been studied using an ion-ion recombination drift tube (IIR-DT). IIR-DT uses two DC corona ionizers to produce positive and negative ions at the ends of the drift tube. The ions of different polarity move in opposite directions along the electric field in the drift tube. We observed significant particle formation using ions generated in purified air containing H2O, SO2, and NH3. Particle formation was suppressed when no drift field was applied. We also observed few particles when we used a single discharge (positive or negative only). These results clearly show that particle formation observed in the IIR-DT was caused by nucleation by ion-ion recombination. Positive and negative ion species produced by corona ionizers were investigated using an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The ions involved in the particle formation were suggested to include H3O(+)(H2O)n and NH4(+)(H2O)n for positive ions and sulfur-based ions such as SO5(-), SO5(-)NO2, and HSO4(-) for negative ions.

Real-time breath analysis with active capillary plasma ionization-ambient mass spectrometry

On-line analysis of exhaled human breath is a growing area in analytical science, for applications such as fast and non-invasive medical diagnosis and monitoring. In this work, we present a novel approach based on ambient ionization of compounds in breath and subsequent real-time mass spectrometric analysis. We introduce a plasma ionization source for this purpose, which has no need for additional gases, is very small, and is easily interfaced with virtually any commercial atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS) without major modifications. If an API-MS instrument exists in a laboratory, the cost to implement this technology is only around 500, far less than the investment for a specialized mass spectrometric system designed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis. In this proof-of-principle study we were able to measure mass spectra of exhaled human breath and found these to be comparable to spectra obtained with other electrospray-based methods. We detected over 100 VOCs, including relevant metabolites like fatty acids, with molecular weights extending up to 340 Da. In addition, we were able to monitor the time-dependent evolution of the peaks and show the enhancement of the metabolism after a meal. We conclude that this approach may complement current methods to analyze breath or other types of vapors, offering an affordable option to upgrade any pre-existing API-MS to a real-time breath analyzer.

Studies of the mechanism of the cluster formation in a thermally sampling atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer

In this study a thermally sampling atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer is described and characterized. The ion transfer stage offers the capability to sample cluster ions at thermal equilibrium and during this transfer fundamental processes possibly affecting the cluster distribution are also readily identified. Additionally, the transfer stage combines optional collision-induced dissociation (CID) analysis of the cluster composition with thermal equilibrium sampling of clusters. The performance of the setup is demonstrated with regard to the proton-bound water cluster system. The benefit of the studied processes is that they can help to improve future transfer stages and to understand cluster ion reactions in ion mobility tubes and high-pressure ion sources. In addition, the instrument allows for the identification of fragmentation and protonation reactions caused by CID.

New Ionization Method for Analysis on Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometers Requiring Only Vacuum and Matrix Assistance

Matrix assisted ionization vacuum (MAIV) is a new ionization method that does not require high voltages, a laser beam, or applied heat and depends only the proper matrix, 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN), and the vacuum of the mass spectrometer to initiate ionization. Analyte ions of volatile as well as nonvolatile compounds are formed by simply exposing the matrix-analyte to the vacuum of a mass spectrometer. The reduced pressure at the inlet of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer suffices to produce analyte ions, but unlike the previously reported matrix assisted ionization inlet method, with MAIV, heating the inlet is not necessary. Singly and multiply charged ions are formed similar to electrospray ionization but from a surface. Mass spectrometers in which a heated inlet tube is not available can be used for ionization using the 3-NBN matrix. We demonstrate rapid, high-sensitivity analyses of drugs, peptides, and proteins in the low femtomole range. The potential for high-throughput analyses is shown using multiwell plates and paper strips.

A device for the preliminary separation of ions for mass spectrometry analysis

A device for the preliminary separation of ions based on an ion mobility increment spectrometer with cylindrical geometry of its electrodes is described. The device is operated in tandem with an atmospheric-pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The use of the spectrometer in the preliminary separation of ions of the target substance from ions of the chemical noise is illustrated by investigating the vapor above a water solution of acrylamide (CH2=CH-CO-NH2) with a concentration of 1.4 × 10−5 mol/L. The resolution of the device is rather low, R ∼ 10–20; nevertheless, thanks to its simplicity and availability, the device may find application to routine chemical analysis and in portable instruments.

A Novel APPI-MS Setup for In Situ Degradation Product Studies of Atmospherically Relevant Compounds: Capillary Atmospheric Pressure Photo Ionization (cAPPI)

We report on the development of a novel atmospheric pressure photoionization setup and its applicability for in situ degradation product studies of atmospherically relevant compounds. A custom miniature spark discharge lamp was embedded into an ion transfer capillary, which separates the atmospheric pressure from the low pressure region in the first differential pumping stage of a conventional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The lamp operates with a continuous argon flow and produces intense light emissions in the VUV. The custom lamp is operated windowless and efficiently illuminates the sample flow through the transfer capillary on an area smaller than 1 mm(2). Limits of detection in the lower ppbV range, a temporal resolution of milliseconds in the positive as well as the quasi simultaneously operating negative ion mode, and a significant reduction of ion transformation processes render this system applicable to real time studies of rapidly changing chemical systems. The method termed capillary atmospheric pressure photo ionization (cAPPI) is characterized with respect to the lamp emission properties as a function of the operating conditions, temporal response, and its applicability for in situ degradation product studies of atmospherically relevant compounds, respectively.