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Hou M, Sun S, Zhu Y, Yu Q. A 3D-printed sub-atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization source for robust, facile, and flexible mass spectrometry analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6441-6448. [PMID: 37644320 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04920-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The operation and performance of electrospray ionization (ESI) is affected by the surrounding environment. In this study, a compact sub-atmospheric pressure ESI (SAP-ESI) source was designed and fabricated using the 3D printing method. This source has a simple structure and is easy to operate, as the sample solution and auxiliary gas are continuously sucked into the source through the pressure difference. The compact and enclosed ionization chamber can reduce the fluctuation of the surrounding gas flow to ensure a remarkably stable (< 3%) electrospray. Moreover, the source can offer variable SAP conditions for ESI analysis. The yield of analyte ions increases with decreasing pressure, while the production of background ions is suppressed under these conditions. In the analysis of protein samples, SAP-ESI can increase the yield and charge state of ions, which may be due to the reduction of proton transfer between charged proteins and surrounding gas. The SAP-ESI source was then used to continuously monitor the extract aqueous solution of tea leaves, and to detect the carbendazim residues on the apple surface by coupling with the liquid extraction surface analysis technique. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed SAP-ESI is a stable, practical, and versatile ionization technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulang Hou
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shuang Sun
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yanping Zhu
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Quan Yu
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Comparison of Membrane Inlet and Capillary Introduction Miniature Mass Spectrometry for Liquid Analysis. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:polym11030567. [PMID: 30960551 PMCID: PMC6473344 DOI: 10.3390/polym11030567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) is commonly used for detecting the components in liquid samples. When a liquid sample flows through a membrane, certain analytes will permeate into the vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer from the solution. The properties of the membrane directly determine the substances that can be detected by MIMS. A capillary introduction (CI) method we previously proposed can also be used to analyze gas and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) dissolved in liquids. When CI analysis is carried out, the sample is drawn into the mass spectrometer with no species discrimination. The performance of these two injection methods was compared in this study, and similar response time and limit of detection (LOD) can be acquired. Specifically, MIMS can provide better detection sensitivity for most inorganic gases and volatile organic compounds. In contrast, capillary introduction shows wider compatibility on analyte types and quantitative range, and it requires less sample consumption. As the two injection methods have comparable characteristics and can be coupled with a miniature mass spectrometer, factors such as cost, pollution, device size, and sample consumption should be comprehensively considered when choosing a satisfactory injection method in practical applications.
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Shi W, Lu X, Zhang J, Yu Q, Wang X. Pulsed capillary introduction applied to a miniature mass spectrometer for efficient liquid analysis. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2018; 32:2159-2165. [PMID: 30252995 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Capillary sampling of liquids for direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis is introduced. The low transfer rate of the solution in the capillary will affect the analytical sensitivity and the response time; hence a pulsed capillary introduction (PCI) method was proposed and characterized. METHODS The experiments were carried out using a miniature quadrupole mass spectrometer, and liquid can be spontaneously drawn into the vacuum chamber for subsequent ionization and detection. A simple up-and-down motor platform was used to control the brief contact of the capillary inlet with the liquid sample and implement pulsed injection. The pulsed sampling parameters were optimized based on the characterization and dynamic study of liquid transfer in capillaries. RESULTS Compared with continuous capillary introduction (CCI), PCI can reduce the response time of MS analysis from more than half a minute to a few seconds. In addition, it provides better detection sensitivity as the ion signals of all solution components are enhanced and the acquired limit of detection (LOD) of toluene is about eight times lower than CCI analysis. For each analysis, the consumed sample volume is only a few nanoliters and the absolute consumption of the analyte can reach the femtogram level. CONCLUSIONS The proposed PCI method is proved to be successful in improving the sampling efficiency when performing direct liquid analysis without increasing the vacuum load. A miniature MS instrument with a proper capillary inlet can possess flexible operation modes to meet different application demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Shi
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xinqiong Lu
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center for Urban Water Recycling and Environmental Safety, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jianchao Zhang
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Quan Yu
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaohao Wang
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Fujiwara Y, Saito N. Cluster ion beam generation from a wetted needle emitter for organic secondary ion mass spectrometry (organic SIMS) using a protic ionic liquid, propylammonium nitrate. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2018; 32:1867-1874. [PMID: 30085370 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Propylammonium nitrate (PAN, [C3 H7 NH3 ][NO3 ]), a protic ionic liquid, has an active proton in its molecular structure, so that it can promote protonation. In addition, PAN has high aggregability, so that it tends to form large aggregated (or cluster) ions. These features will be desirable for cluster ion beams in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) of organic materials. The aggregability may enable us to generate a cluster ion beam from a needle tip wetted with PAN by electrospray in vacuum. For these reasons, cluster ion beam generation was investigated using an externally wetted needle emitter. METHODS A sharpened glass rod was used as a needle emitter. PAN was electrosprayed in vacuum using the needle emitter to generate a cluster ion beam. Beam characteristics were investigated with an apparatus for measuring transient responses of a beam current. SIMS experiments were also performed using the cluster ion beam as a primary ion beam; arginine and polyethylene glycol (PEG300) were analyzed. RESULTS A stable cluster ion beam was generated from the needle emitter wetted with PAN. The ion beam consisted of mixed cluster ions whose m/z ranged from about 180 to 5000 or higher. The cluster ion beam successfully produced protonated molecules [M + H]+ (M denotes arginine and PEG molecules) with relatively little fragmentation. Adduct ions [M + C3 H7 NH3 ]+ formed by propylammonium-attachment reaction were also detected for PEG. CONCLUSIONS It has been demonstrated that a needle emitter wetted with PAN can generate a cluster ion beam that includes massive cluster ions. The cluster ion beam proved to be helpful in producing molecular secondary ions and suitable for a primary ion beam in organic SIMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Fujiwara
- National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Naoaki Saito
- National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8568, Japan
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Ninomiya S, Sakai Y, Chuin Chen L, Hiraoka K. Development of a Vacuum Electrospray Droplet Ion Gun for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 7:A0069. [PMID: 30116686 PMCID: PMC6089089 DOI: 10.5702/massspectrometry.a0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Atmospheric pressure electrospray had been used in previous studies to generate massive water droplet ion beams, and the beams successfully achieved efficient desorption/ionization of biomolecules, low damage etching of polymers and nonselective etching of metal oxides. However, this droplet ion beam was not practical as a primary ion beam for surface analysis instruments because it required differential pumping and lacked adequate beam current and density. To improve the beam performance, we have proposed to use vacuum electrospray of aqueous solutions as a beam source, and developed a technique for producing a stable electrospray of aqueous solution in vacuum. We also designed a prototype of a vacuum electrospray droplet ion gun, and measured the beam properties. Finally, the applicability of this ion gun in secondary ion mass spectrometry is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ninomiya
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Yuji Sakai
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Lee Chuin Chen
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
| | - Kenzo Hiraoka
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, Japan
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Fujiwara Y, Saito N. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry using a new primary ion beam generated by vacuum electrospray of a protic ionic liquid, propylammonium nitrate. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:1859-1867. [PMID: 28815824 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Protic ionic liquids have the potential to be useful materials for primary ion beams in terms of protonation, since they have active protons. Selecting protic ionic liquids suitable for primary ion beams is of great importance to increase molecular secondary ion yields. Propylammonium nitrate ([C3 H7 NH3 ][NO3 ]) seems promising in view of its proton affinity. It is likely that [C3 H7 NH3 ]+ cations can act as proton donors, and [NO3 ]- anions can work as proton acceptors. METHODS Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) experiments have been performed to verify the usefulness of [C3 H7 NH3 ][NO3 ]. A primary propylammonium nitrate cluster ion beam was generated by vacuum electrospray, and then used to analyze amino acids (arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid), angiotensin II and polyethylene glycol. Positive and negative secondary ion mass spectra were obtained to study both protonation and deprotonation. RESULTS The propylammonium nitrate cluster ion beam successfully generated protonated molecules [M + H]+ of all the analytes in positive ion mode. The primary ion beam also generated deprotonated molecules [M - H]- of glutamic acid, aspartic acid and angiotensin II in negative ion mode. Additionally, adduct ions related to [C3 H7 NH3 ][NO3 ] were detected in the case of arginine and polyethylene glycol. CONCLUSIONS The TOF-SIMS experiments confirmed that the propylammonium nitrate cluster ion beam was useful in generating molecular secondary ions, demonstrating that it is well suited for a primary ion beam in TOF-SIMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Fujiwara
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Naoaki Saito
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8568, Japan
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Yu Q, Zhang Q, Lu X, Qian X, Ni K, Wang X. Developing a Vacuum Electrospray Source To Implement Efficient Atmospheric Sampling for Miniature Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer. Anal Chem 2017; 89:12938-12944. [PMID: 29091419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The performance of a miniature mass spectrometer in atmospheric analysis is closely related to the design of its sampling system. In this study, a simplified vacuum electrospray ionization (VESI) source was developed based on a combination of several techniques, including the discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface, direct capillary sampling, and pneumatic-assisted electrospray. Pulsed air was used as a vital factor to facilitate the operation of electrospray ionization in the vacuum chamber. This VESI device can be used as an efficient atmospheric sampling interface when coupled with a miniature rectilinear ion trap (RIT) mass spectrometer. The developed VESI-RIT instrument enables regular ESI analysis of liquid, and its qualitative and quantitative capabilities have been characterized by using various solution samples. A limit of detection of 8 ppb could be attained for arginine in a methanol solution. In addition, extractive electrospray ionization of organic compounds can be implemented by using the same VESI device, as long as the gas analytes are injected with the pulsed auxiliary air. This methodology can extend the use of the proposed VESI technique to rapid and online analysis of gaseous and volatile samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yu
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinqiong Lu
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Qian
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kai Ni
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaohao Wang
- Division of Advanced Manufacturing, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University , Shenzhen 518055, China.,State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
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Usmanov DT, Ninomiya S, Chen LC, Saha S, Mandal MK, Sakai Y, Takaishi R, Habib A, Hiraoka K, Yoshimura K, Takeda S, Wada H, Nonami H. Desorption in Mass Spectrometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 6:S0059. [PMID: 28337398 DOI: 10.5702/massspectrometry.s0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In mass spectrometry, analytes must be released in the gas phase. There are two representative methods for the gasification of the condensed samples, i.e., ablation and desorption. While ablation is based on the explosion induced by the energy accumulated in the condensed matrix, desorption is a single molecular process taking place on the surface. In this paper, desorption methods for mass spectrometry developed in our laboratory: flash heating/rapid cooling, Leidenfrost phenomenon-assisted thermal desorption (LPTD), solid/solid friction, liquid/solid friction, electrospray droplet impact (EDI) ionization/desorption, and probe electrospray ionization (PESI), will be described. All the methods are concerned with the surface and interface phenomena. The concept of how to desorb less-volatility compounds from the surface will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satoshi Ninomiya
- Graduate School, Department of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi
| | - Lee Chuin Chen
- Graduate School, Department of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi
| | | | | | - Yuji Sakai
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi
| | - Rio Takaishi
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi
| | - Ahsan Habib
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi
| | - Kenzo Hiraoka
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of Yamanashi
| | - Kentaro Yoshimura
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi
| | - Sen Takeda
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi
| | - Hiroshi Wada
- Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
| | - Hiroshi Nonami
- Plant Biophysics/Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Peacock
- First State IR, LLC , 118 Susan Drive, Hockessin, Delaware 19707, United States
| | - Wen-Jing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University , 5101 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Sarah Trimpin
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University , 5101 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
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Sakai Y, Ninomiya S, Hiraoka K. Sputtering properties for polyimide by vacuum electrospray droplet impact (V-EDI) using size-selected cluster ions. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.6070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Sakai
- Clean Energy Research Center; University of Yamanashi; 4-3-11Takeda Kofu Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
| | - Satoshi Ninomiya
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School; University of Yamanashi; 4-3-11Takeda Kofu Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
| | - Kenzo Hiraoka
- Clean Energy Research Center; University of Yamanashi; 4-3-11Takeda Kofu Yamanashi 400-8511 Japan
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