Bipolar Mass Spectrometry of Labile Coordination Complexes, Redox Active Inorganic Compounds, and Proteins Using a Glass Nebulizer for Sonic-Spray Ionization

In this study, we report on the development of a novel nebulizer configuration for sonic-spray ionization (SSI) mass spectrometry (MS), more specifically for a version of SSI that is referred to as Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (V-EASI) MS. The developed nebulizer configuration is based on a commercially available pneumatic glass nebulizer that has been used extensively for aerosol formation in atomic spectrometry. In the present study, the nebulizer was modified in order to achieve efficient V-EASI-MS operation. Upon evaluating this system, it has been demonstrated that V-EASI-MS offers some distinct advantages for the analysis of coordination compounds and redox active inorganic compounds over the predominantly used electrospray ionization (ESI) technique. Such advantages, for this type of compounds, are demonstrated here for the first time. More specifically, a series of labile heptanuclear heterometallic [Cu^II ₆Ln^III] clusters held together with artificial amino acid ligands, in addition to easily oxidized inorganic oxyanions of selenium and arsenic, were analyzed. The observed advantages pertain to V-EASI appearing to be a “milder” ionization source than ESI, not requiring electrical potentials for gas phase ion formation, thus eliminating the possibility of unwanted redox transformations, allowing for the “simultaneous” detection of negative and positive ions (bipolar analysis) without the need to change source ionization conditions, and also not requiring the use of syringes and delivery pumps. Because of such features, especially because of the absence of ionization potentials, EASI can be operated with minimal requirements for source parameter optimization. We observed that source temperature and accelerating voltage do not seem to affect labile compounds to the extent they do in ESI-MS. In addition, bipolar analysis of proteins was demonstrated here by acquiring both positive and negative ion mass spectra from the same protein solutions, without the need to independently adjust solution and source conditions in each mode. Finally, the simple and efficient operation of a dual-nebulizer configuration was demonstrated for V-EASI-MS for the first time.

Characterization and application of a self‐aspirating electrospray source with pneumatic‐assisted ionization

A single gas‐assisted electrospray ion source developed for ambient mass spectrometry is introduced in this paper. Simultaneous self‐aspiration and electrospray could be achieved by using a constant sheath gas flow supplied from a mini air pump. A gas dynamic study of the spray module is carried out for structural optimization. The entire device exhibits a simplified design and has been systematically characterized through both simulated and experimental investigations. According to the results, the ion source exhibited satisfactory stability and the ability for quantitative operation in routine electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the ion source can be operated as a desorption electrospray ionization source to perform direct desorption/ionization of the solid samples. The versatile source described here appears to provide a practical approach to perform ambient mass spectrometry analysis with unrestricted sampling operation, and the extensive gas dynamic studies together with the experimental characterization are believed to be helpful in building self‐aspirating spray devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High Pressure (>1 atm) Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

High pressure electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been performed by pressurizing a custom made ion source chamber with compressed air to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The ion source was coupled to a commercial time-of-flight mass spectrometer using a nozzle-skimmer arrangement. The onset voltage for the electrospray of aqueous solution was found to be independent on the operating pressure. The onset voltage for the corona discharge, however, increased with the rise of pressure following the Paschen’s law. Thus, besides having more working gas for the desolvation process, gaseous breakdown could also be avoided by pressurizing the ESI ion source with air to an appropriate level. Stable electrospray ionization has been achieved for the sample solution with high surface tension such as pure water in both positive and negative ion modes. Fragmentation of labile compounds during the ionization process could also be reduced by optimizing the operating pressure of the ion source.     

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) mass spectrometry of falsified antimalarials

Rationale

An epidemic of low‐quality medicines continues to endanger patients worldwide. Detection of such ‘medicines’ requires low cost, ambient ionization sources coupled to fieldable mass spectrometers for optimum sensitivity and specificity. With the use of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), the charge required to produce gas‐phase ions for mass analysis can be obtained without the need for high‐voltage electrical circuitry, simplifying and lowering the cost of next‐generation mass spectrometry instruments.

Methods

A sliding freestanding (SF) TENG was coupled to a toothpick electrospray setup for the purposes of testing if falsified medicines could be fingerprinted by this approach. Extracts from both genuine and falsified medicines were deposited on the toothpick and the SF TENG actuated to generate electrical charges, resulting in gas‐phase ions for both active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients.

Results

Our previous work had shown that direct analysis in real time (DART) ambient mass spectrometry can identify the components of multiple classes of falsified antimalarial medicines. Experiments performed in this study show that a simple extraction into methanol along with the use of a SF TENG‐powered toothpick electrospray can provide similar detection capabilities, but with much simpler and rugged instrumentation, and without the need for compressed gases or high‐voltage ion source power supplies.

Conclusions

TENG toothpick MS allows for rapid analyte ion detection in a safe and low‐cost manner, providing robust sampling and ionization capabilities.

     

Comparison of Three Plasma Sources for Ambient Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Plasma-based desorption/ionization sources are an important ionization technique for ambient surface analysis mass spectrometry. In this paper, we compare and contrast three competing plasma based desorption/ionization sources: a radio-frequency (rf) plasma needle, a dielectric barrier plasma jet, and a low-temperature plasma probe. The ambient composition of the three sources and their effectiveness at analyzing a range of pharmaceuticals and polymers were assessed. Results show that the background mass spectrum of each source was dominated by air species, with the rf needle producing a richer ion spectrum consisting mainly of ionized water clusters. It was also seen that each source produced different ion fragments of the analytes under investigation: this is thought to be due to different substrate heating, different ion transport mechanisms, and different electric field orientations. The rf needle was found to fragment the analytes least and as a result it was able to detect larger polymer ions than the other sources. Figure

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Identification of mononitropyrenes and mononitrofluoranthenes in air particulate matter via fused silica gas,chromatography combined with negative ion atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

This paper describes the use of high resolution capillary gas chromatography combined with negative ion atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (NIAPIMS) for the analysis of an air particulate extract for mononitropyrenes and mononitrofluoranthenes, some of which are powerful bacterial mutagens. The results are compared to those obtained by the electron impact mass spectrometric analysis of the same sample In addition, the NIAPIMS method confirmed the identification of 4-nitropyrene in the ambient air sample.     

Coupling of planar chromatography with Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry

Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is an emerging and rapidly developing area of ambient desorption ionization mass spectrometric techniques. Its coupling with planar chromatography is especially promising, as compared to other ambient desorption ionization techniques, because it does not require the use of liquids that may distort the shape of a spot by diffusion effects. In the first publications on TLC/HPTLC-DART-MS, due to the fixed, horizontally aligned supply of the gas flow from the DART ionization source to the MS inlet, the introduction of HPTLC/TLC plates as cut strips was inconvenient for quantitation, and the repeatability was very low due to the manual positioning. Recently a new version of the DART ion source was suggested, which allows adjusting the angle of the DART gas stream and the use of a motorized rail, thereby, improving highly the capabilities of TLC/HPTLC-DART-MS. This comprehensive review describes the development and analytical capabilities of TLC/HPTLC-DART-MS, and the general DART-MS perspectives for surface analysis or imaging MS.      

常压激光离子源辅助基质的研究进展及其在食品领域的应用

基于激光的电离质谱具有空间分辨率高、样品预处理简单、易于便携化和可实现成像分析等特点.基质辅助的激光离子源质谱可以避免高能量对分子结构的破坏,在生物大分子分析和检测方面获得了广泛应用.传统辅助基质在低分子量范围的干扰较强,极大地限制了常压基质辅助激光离子源的应用,为解决这一问题,一系列基于新型材料的辅助基质被设计和开发...     

介质阻挡放电离子源质谱分析

敞开式离子化质谱可对表面样品进行直接快速分析而受到关注,成为质谱分析的热点研究方向.介质阻挡放电离子源是一种基于等离子体放电机理的敞开式离子源,近年来得到了较快的发展.本文着重介绍该离子源的基本原理、性能特征以及应用进展,并对其发展趋势进行了展望.     

The micro-discharge family (dark, corona, and glow-discharge) for analytical applications realized by dielectric barriers

The similarity principles of electric plasmas, and the current-voltage characteristics of the most prominent kinds of discharges used for analytical applications, are discussed. Most of the discharges can be miniaturized, and some of the analytical applications of different discharges can be realized by use of dielectric barriers for analytical applications, for example element spectrometry, as an ionization source for ion-mobility spectrometry or organic mass spectrometry, and as an electrospray ionization source.     

Infrared Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Electrospray Ionization (IR-MALDESI) Imaging Source Coupled to a FT-ICR Mass Spectrometer

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) allows for the direct monitoring of the abundance and spatial distribution of chemical compounds over the surface of a tissue sample. This technology has opened the field of mass spectrometry to numerous innovative applications over the past 15 years. First used with SIMS and MALDI MS that operate under vacuum, interest has grown for mass spectrometry ionization sources that allow for effective imaging but where the analysis can be performed at ambient pressure with minimal or no sample preparation. We introduce here a versatile source for MALDESI imaging analysis coupled to a hybrid LTQ-FT-ICR mass spectrometer. The imaging source offers single shot or multi-shot capability per pixel with full control over the laser repetition rate and mass spectrometer scanning cycle. Scanning rates can be as fast as 1 pixel/second and a spatial resolution of 45 μm was achieved with oversampling.

新型空气动力辅助离子源与不同类型质量分析器的快速接口技术

报道了新型空气动力辅助离子化(AFAI)装置与不同类型商业化质量分析器的快速接口技术. 在前期研究基础上, 进一步提高了AFAI系统的抽气流速, 在更宽范围内考察了流速对质谱灵敏度的影响; 对AFAI离子源进行模块化设计和制作, 重点解决快速接口问题, 通过更换接口板可实现其与不同厂家、 不同类型质量分析器的兼容及联用, 尤其可以与具有气帘接口的质量分析器联用. 本离子源装置结合不同质量分析器可以进行全扫描、 子离子扫描、 母离子扫描、 中性丢失扫描和高分辨等多种类型质谱分析, 而且AFAI可在电喷雾(ESI)、 解析电喷雾(DESI)和大气压化学电离(APCI)等多种离子化模式下工作, 从而实现对不同性质化合物的快速检测. 本研究结果进一步提高了AFAI离子化技术的功能, 拓展了其应用范围.     

Screening of Complicated Matrixes with Paper Assisted Ultrasonic Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

To analyze compounds in complicated matrixes using mass spectrometry, we describe a novel ambient ionization approach, termed paper assisted ultrasonic spray ionization (PAUSI). The ionization process is based on the ultrasonic vibration of the piezoelectric ceramic disk, on which the samples are placed. Porous materials are utilized to generate fine initial droplet, which could alleviate matrix effect during ionization process for complicated matrix. PAUSI was evaluated as an attractive tool to screen analytes from complicated matrixes, such as (1) bovine serum with NaCl 150 g/L, (2) viscous samples, and (3) biological fluid, without any sample preparation. Moreover, it provides great advantage in simplifying the mass spectrometry analysis process, and the ionization device is inexpensive and easy to operate.

Detection of explosives on solid surfaces by thermal desorption and ambient ion/molecule reactions

A simple, fast and direct method is presented for detecting traces of solid explosives on cotton swabs or in particulate samples: ions are transferred into a mass spectrometer after thermal desorption and corona discharge chemical ionization in ambient air; specificity is enhanced using ambient ion/molecule reactions or by conventional tandem mass spectrometry.     

复杂样品的固相微萃取-直接质谱分析技术研究进展

常压离子化质谱分析技术由于具有无需样品预处理、操作简单、分析效率高等特点,现已在复杂样品的快速分析方面发挥了重要作用.但是,该技术在质谱分析时将样品基质和待测化合物同时进行电离,样品基质对目标化合物的质谱分析造成了严重干扰.为了解决这一问题,在质谱直接分析前先采用固相微萃取技术对复杂样品中的目标化合物进行富集或基质去除...     

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of alkanes,alkenes, and cycloalkanes

Normal and cyclic alkanes and alkenes form stable gas-phase ions in air at atmospheric pressure from 40 to 200°C when moisture is below 1 ppm. Ionization of alkanes in a ⁶³Ni source favored charge transfer over proton transfer through pathways involving [M?1]⁺ and [M?3]⁺ ions. Ion mobility spectra for alkanes showed sharp and symmetrical profiles while spectra for alkenes suggested fragmentation. Ion identifications were made by using mass spectrometry, and ionization pathways were supported by using deuterated analogs of alkanes and alkenes. Alkanes were ionized seemingly through a hydrogen abstraction pathway and did not proceed through an alkene intermediate. New methods for interpretation of mobility spectra utilizing ion mobility spectrometry, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry data were demonstrated.     

原位电离与小型质谱在公共安全领域的应用

质谱作为一种具有高准确度、高灵敏度、高选择性的检测仪器,在公共安全领域有着重要的应用前景.公共安全领域的需求主要涉及毒品、毒物、爆炸物等化学物质的现场快速检测,因其影响广泛,检测结果需非常准确.作为实验室分析仪器,质谱的准确性和速度能满足公共安全的应用需求,但作为现场快速检测的仪器仍需要一定改进.现场快速检测一方面要求...     

Direct atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry for the continuous real-time trace analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in ambient air

Real-time monitoring of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in ambient air is essential for the early warning detection associated with the release of these hazardous chemicals and in estimating the potential exposure risks to humans and the environment. We have developed a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method for continuous real-time determination of ambient trace levels of BTEX. The technique is based on the sampling of air via an atmospheric pressure inlet directly into the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source. The method is linear over four orders of magnitude, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.996. Low limits of detection in the range 1–2 μg/m³ are achieved for BTEX. The reliability of the method was confirmed through the evaluation of quality parameters such as repeatability and reproducibility (relative standard deviation below 8% and 10%, respectively) and accuracy (over 95%). The applicability of this method to real-world samples was evaluated through measurements of BTEX levels in real ambient air samples and results were compared with a reference GC-FID method. This direct APCI-MS/MS method is suitable for real-time analysis of BTEX in ambient air during regulation surveys as well as for the monitoring of industrial processes or emergency situations.     

Air flow assisted ionization for remote sampling of ambient mass spectrometry and its application

Ambient ionization methods are an important research area in mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Under ambient conditions, the gas flow and atmospheric pressure significantly affect the transfer and focusing of ions. The design and implementation of air flow assisted ionization (AFAI) as a novel and effective, remote sampling method for ambient mass spectrometry are described herein. AFAI benefits from a high extracting air flow rate. A systematic investigation of the extracting air flow in the AFAI system has been carried out, and it has been demonstrated not only that it plays a role in the effective capture and remote transport of charged droplets, but also that it promotes desolvation and ion formation, and even prevents ion fragmentation during the ionization process. Moreover, the sensitivity of remote sampling ambient MS analysis was improved significantly by the AFAI method. Highly polar and nonpolar molecules, including dyes, pharmaceutical samples, explosives, drugs of abuse, protein and volatile compounds, have been successfully analyzed using AFAI-MS. The successful application of the technique to residue detection on fingers, large object analysis and remote monitoring in real time indicates its potential for the analysis of a variety of samples, especially large objects. The ability to couple this technique with most commercially available MS instruments with an API interface further enhances its broad applicability.     

Intermediate detection in real time using reactive surface desorption dielectric‐barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry

Reactive intermediates play key roles for reaction mechanism elucidation. A suitable tool for identifying the key intermediates is crucial and highly desirable. In this study, surface desorption dielectric‐barrier discharge ionization (reactive SDDBDI) was developed for characterization of the reactive intermediates. In reactive SDDBDI, the plasma is doped with a reagent before the plasma ions are directed at a cover slip surface bearing another analyte. Different from SDDBDI, reactive SDDBDI can be used both as an ambient ionization source and as a means to produce reagent ions for ambient ion/molecule reactions. The online derivation of 4‐aminophenol with trifluoroacetic anhydride demonstrated that reactive SDDBDI can be used for chemical analysis where improved specificity or sensitivity is required. The utility of this approach for real‐time detection of reactive intermediate was demonstrated by the Schiff‐base and Eberlin reactions. The formed intermediates and products could be readily detected and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. These results indicate that reactive SDDBDI can be used to generate reagent ions that undergo ion/molecule reactions in the open air with an analyte at condensed phase on a surface. Reactive SDDBDI has high‐efficiency ion transmission and high MS sensitivity. It is thus a potential tool to perform ambient ion/molecule reactions and detect reactive intermediates.