Flow characteristics in a segmented closed-tube design for ion-mobility spectrometry

Electrospray Ionization Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray ionization ion mobility mass spectrometry (ESI-IMS-MS) is a rapidly progressing analytical technique for the examination of complex compounds in the gas phase. ESI-IMS-MS separates isomers, provides structural information, and quantitatively identifies peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, polymers, and metabolites in biological samples. ESI-IMS-MS has pharmaceutical, environmental, and manufacturing applications quickly characterizing drugs, petroleum products, and metal macromolecules. This review provides the history of ESI-IMS-MS development and applications to date.

Evaluation of direct axial sample introduction for ion mobility detection after capillary gas chromatography

An ion mobility detector has been designed and constructed for direct axial interfacing with capillary gas chromatography. The principle advantages of this detector were the following: (1) Direct concentric introduction of the capillary column into the ionization region, eliminating peak broadening in the transfer line and improving the efficiency with which neutral molecules were swept from the detector. (2) A variable capillary insertion distance, providing a sensitivity/resolution interplay that could be modified in response to the needs of the assay. (3) An inert gas flow external to the drift cylinder, preventing atmospheric impurities from infiltrating the ultratrace detector. Qualitative and quantitative capabilities of the detector were evaluated using standard preparations of n-hexyl ether.