Redox buffering in an electrospray ion source using a copper capillary emitter.

An electrospray ion source used in electrospray mass spectrometry is a two-electrode, controlled-current electrochemical flow cell. Electrochemical reactions at the emitter electrode (oxidation and reduction in positive and negative ion modes respectively) provide the excess charge necessary for the quasi-continuous production of charged droplets and ultimately gas-phase ions with this device. We demonstrate here that a copper capillary emitter, in place of the more commonly used stainless-steel capillary emitter, can be utilized as a redox buffer in positive ion mode. Anodic corrosion of the copper capillary during normal operation liberates copper ions to solution and in so doing maintains the interfacial potential at this electrode near the equilibrium potential for the copper corrosion process [E degrees = 0.34 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)]. Fixing the interfacial potential at the emitter electrode provides control over the electrochemical reactions that take place at this electrode. It is shown that the oxidation of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine to N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediimine (E(p/2) = 0.48 V versus SHE) can be completely avoided using the copper emitter, whereas this analyte is completely oxidized with a stainless-steel capillary emitter under the same conditions. Moreover, using N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediimine, we demonstrate that reduction reactions can occur at the copper emitter electrode in positive ion mode. Emitter corrosion, in addition to redox buffering, provides a convenient means to introduce metal ions into solution for analytical use in electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Minimizing analyte electrolysis in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using a redox buffer coated emitter electrode

An emitter electrode with an electroactive poly(pyrrole) (PPy) polymer film coating was constructed for use in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The PPy film acted as a surface‐attached redox buffer limiting the interfacial potential of the emitter electrode. While extensive oxidation of selected analytes (reserpine and amodiaquine) was observed in positive ion mode ESI using a bare metal (gold) emitter electrode, the oxidation was suppressed for these same analytes when using the PPy‐coated electrode. A semi‐quantitative relationship between the rate of oxidation observed and the interfacial potential of the emitter electrode was shown. The redox buffer capacity, and therefore the lifetime of the redox buffering effect, correlated with the oxidation potential of the analyte and with the magnitude of the film charge capacity. Online reduction of the PPy polymer layer using negative ion mode ESI between analyte injections was shown to successfully restore the redox buffering capacity of the polymer film to its initial state. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimizing analyte electrolysis in an electrospray emitter

The electrospray (ES) ion source is a controlled-current electrolytic flow cell. Electrolytic reactions in the ES emitter capillary are continually ongoing to sustain the production of charged droplets and ultimately gas-phase ions from this device. Under certain circumstances, the analytes under study may be directly involved in these electrolytic processes. It is demonstrated that a simple means to minimize analyte electrolysis is to exchange the normal metal emitter capillary of commercial ES sources with one made of fused silica. This change is shown to provide an ES mass spectrometric system of similar performance in terms of gas-phase ion signal generated for non-electroactive analytes and also assures minimal oxidation of electroactive analytes even at low (2.0 microl x min(-1)) solution flow-rates and high (millimolar) solution electrolyte concentrations.     

Ascorbic acid for homogenous redox buffering in electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) involves the dispersion of a liquid containing analytes of interest into a fine aerosol by applying a high potential difference to the sample solution with respect to a counter electrode. Thus, from the electrochemical point of view, the ESI source represents a two-electrode controlled-current electrochemical flow cell. The electroactive compounds part of the solvent sprayed may be altered by occurring electrolysis (oxidation in positive ion mode and reduction in negative ion mode). These reactions can be troublesome in the context of unknown identification and quantification. In the search for a simple, inexpensive, and efficient way to suppress electrochemical oxidation in positive ESI, the usability of ascorbic acid, hydroquinone, and glutathione for homogenous redox buffering was tested. Performance of the antioxidants was assessed by analyzing pharmaceutical compounds covering a broad range of functional groups prone to oxidation. Different emitter setups were applied for continuous infusion, flow injection, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry experiments. Best performance was obtained with ascorbic acid. In comparison to hydroquinone and glutathione, ascorbic acid offered superior antioxidant activity, a relatively inert oxidation product, and hardly any negative effect on the ionization efficiency of analytes. Furthermore, ascorbic acid suppressed the formation of sodiated forms and was able to induce charge state reduction. Only in the very special case of analyzing a compound isobaric to ascorbic acid, interference with the low-abundant [ascorbic acid+H](+) signal may become a point of attention.     

Efficient analyte oxidation in an electrospray ion source using a porous flow-through electrode emitter

This article describes the components, operation, and use of a porous flow-through electrode emitter in an electrospray ion source. This emitter electrode geometry provided enhanced mass transport to the electrode surface to exploit the inherent electrochemistry of the electrospray process for efficient analyte oxidation at flow rates up to 800 microL/min. An upstream current loop in the electrospray source circuit, formed by a grounded contact to solution upstream of the emitter electrode, was utilized to increase the magnitude of the total current at the emitter electrode to overcome current limits to efficient oxidation. The resistance in this upstream current loop was altered to control the current and "dial-in" the extent of analyte oxidation, and thus, the abundance and nature of the oxidized analyte ions observed in the mass spectrum. The oxidation of reserpine to form a variety of products by multiple electron transfer reactions and oxidation of the ferroceneboronate derivative of pinacol to form the ES active radical cation were used to study and to illustrate the performance of this new emitter electrode design. Flow injection, continuous infusion, and on-line HPLC experiments were performed.     

Electrolytic deposition of metals on to the high-voltage contact in an electrospray emitter: implications for gas-phase ion formation

The electrospray ion source is an electrolytic flow cell. Electrolytic reactions in the electrospray emitter maintain the production of charged droplets by this ion source that contain an excess of ions of one polarity. These redox reactions necessarily change the composition of the solution that initially enters the emitter. As a result, the ions ultimately observed in the gas phase by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) may be substantially influenced by both the nature and extent of these electrochemical reactions. It is demonstrated in this paper that Ag(+), Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions in solution can be electrolytically reduced and deposited as the respective metals on to the surface of the high-voltage contact in the electrospray emitter in negative ion mode electrospray. The deposited metals are shown to be liberated from the surface by switching the electrospray high-voltage polarity to operate in the positive ion mode. The deposited metals are oxidized in positive ion mode, releasing the metal ions back into solution where they are detected in the electrospray mass spectrum. In a semi-quantitative analysis, it was found that up to 50% of the Ag(+) in a 2.5 microM solution was deposited on the high-voltage contact of the emitter as the solution flowed through the emitter. Deposition of Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) was less efficient. These data illustrate that in the analysis of metals by ESMS, one must be aware that both the concentration and form of the metals may be altered by electrochemical processes in the emitter. Hence reduction or oxidation of metals in the electrospray emitter, which may remove ions from solution, or change metal valence, would be expected to impact both quantitative metal determinations and metal speciation attempts using ESMS.     

Current measurements within the electrospray emitter

A movable disc-like wire probe electrode placed inside the electrospray (ES) capillary was used to measure currents flowing within the ES device for the first time. Currents were measured between the wire probe and the ES capillary. Current maps revealing measured current versus wire probe position were generated for a variety of solution conditions in the positive and negative ion modes and are compared to potential maps. The electrospray device was found to subsist on highly stable total currents; this current regulator aspect of the ES device showed remarkable resiliency regardless of the proportion of current produced at the wire probe electrode versus the ES capillary. However, kinks observed in the current and potential maps are attributed to adsorbed air participating in electrochemical reactions, and turbulence in solution flow in the region of the Taylor cone. From differential electrospray emitter potential (DEEP) maps, current maps, and cyclic voltammetry experiments performed at different wire probe locations, evidence is provided for separate regimes of current flow in the bulk solution and in the thin "skin" of highly conductive electrolyte constituting the outer surface (air interface) of the Taylor cone. Current maps reveal that current is drawn more evenly along the length of the ES capillary when solutions are highly conductive, in agreement with previous results for DEEP maps. In less conductive solutions, the area close to the capillary exit contributes more heavily to current production. Evidence that contaminant participation in electrochemical processes occurring within the electrospray device can be largely responsible for production of the excess charge in ES droplets is also provided. These investigations complement previous DEEP mapping studies to further elucidate the details of the electrochemical processes occurring within the electrospray device.     

Design, optimisation, and evaluation of a sheath flow interface for automated capillary electrophoresis-electrospray-mass spectrometry

A sheath-flow capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) system utilizing a fully integrated large-bore stainless-steel emitter electrode tapered at the end for micro-ionspray operation has been developed and evaluated. A separation capillary with an outer diameter of up to 360 microm was inserted into the electrode thus forming a void volume of less than 15 nL between the capillary end and the electrospray ionisation (ESI) tip. The sheath liquid, usually methanol-water (80:20) with 0.1% formic acid for positive ion mode or methanol for negative ion mode, was delivered at 0.5-1.0 microL/min. Unlike previously reported CE-MS interfaces, the CE-MS probe was incorporated directly onto an Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX orthogonal-spray Turbo "V" ion source for ease of use and automatic operation. This integration enables fast and facile coupling and replacement of the separation capillary without interrupting the ion source configuration, and the sheath liquid supply. The reusable electrospray electrode was precisely fabricated and aligned with the length of the nebulizing gas tube for improved reproducibility. Automation was achieved through software control of both CE and tandem MS (MS/MS) for unattended batch sample analysis. The system was evaluated for attomole- to low femtomole-level profiling of model peptides and protein mixtures, bisphosphates, as well as antiviral nucleosidic drugs in cellular extracts.     

On-line coupling of a microelectrode array equipped poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip with an integrated graphite electrospray emitter for electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

A novel method for the manufacturing of microchips for on-chip combinations of electrochemistry (EC) and sheathless electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is described. The technique, which does not require access to clean-room facilities, is based on the incorporation of an array of gold microcoil electrodes into a poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) microflow channel equipped with an integrated graphite based sheathless ESI emitter. Electrochemical measurements, which were employed to determine the electroactive area of the electrodes and to test the microchips, show that the manufacturing process was reproducible and that the important interelectrode distance in the electrochemical cell could to be adequately controlled. The EC-ESI-MS device was evaluated based on the ESI-MS detection of the oxidation products of dopamine. The results demonstrate that the present on-chip approach enables full potentiostatic control of the electrochemical cell and the attainment of very short transfer times between the electrochemical cell and the electrospray emitter. The transfer times were 0.6 and 1.2 s for flow rates of 1.0 and 0.5 microL min(-1), respectively, while the electrochemical conversion efficiency of the electrochemical cell was found to be 30% at a flow rate of 0.5 microL min(-1). To decouple the electrochemical cell from the ESI-MS high voltage and to increase the user-friendliness, the on-line electrochemistry-ESI-MS experiments were performed using a wireless Bluetooth battery-powered instrument with the chip floating at the potential induced by the ESI high voltage. The described on-chip EC-ESI-MS device can be used for fundamental electrochemical investigations as well as for applications based on the use of electrochemically controlled sample pretreatment, preconcentration and ionisation steps prior to ESI-MS.     

Pulsed dual electrospray ionization for In/In reactions

A pulsed dual electrospray ionization source has been developed to generate positive and negative ions for subsequent ion/ion reaction experiments. The two sprayers, typically a nano-electrospray emitter for analytes and an electrospray emitter for reagents, are positioned in a parallel fashion close to the sampling orifice of a triple quadrupole/linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometer (Sciex Q TRAP). The potentials applied to each sprayer are alternately pulsed so that ions of opposite polarity are generated separately in time. Ion/ion reactions take place after ions of each polarity are sequentially injected into a high-pressure linear ion trap, where axial trapping is effected by applying an auxiliary radio frequency voltage to the end lenses. The pulsed dual electrospray source allows optimization of each sprayer and can be readily coupled to any spray interface with no need for instrument modifications, provided the potentials required to transmit the ion polarity of interest can be alternated in synchrony with the emitter potentials. Ion/ion reaction examples such as charge reduction of multiply charged protein ions, charge inversion of peptides ions, and protein-protein complex formation are given to illustrate capabilities of the pulsed dual electrospray source in the study of gas-phase ion/ion chemistry.     

Determination of metal ions by ion chromatography with precolumn electrochemical preconcentration

The determination of heavy metals in concentrations less than 10(-6) mol/L by ion chromatography with conductivity detection requires a preconcentration step. Therefore, a special electrochemical equipment and method was developed for the on-line preconcentration of the divalent metals Ni, Co, Zn and Cd and their subsequent ion chromatographic determination. The loop of the injection valve of an ion chromatograph was replaced by an electrochemical flow-through-cell with a gold working electrode, a platinum auxiliary electrode and a silver/silver sulphate reference electrode. The preconcentration step consists of the deposition of the reduced metals on the electrode surface during a continuous pumping of the sample solution through the cell. After switching of the mobile phase through the cell, the analytes are injected after their reoxidation directly into the mobile phase. A new preconcentration step is simultaneously possible during the actual chromatographic run. An effective separation of the analytes from the matrix is also possible with the proposed system. A maximum of metal ion accumulation was obtained after 120 min in the galvanostatic mode on a gold tube electrode. The detection limits for Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were improved by a factor of 7.7, 10.4, 11.2, 14.0, respectively, and were in the 0.1 micromol/L concentration range with a RSD of 2-6%. The accumulation of metal ions was disturbed in the presence of Cr(III).     

Insights into analyte electrolysis in an electrospray emitter from chronopotentiometry experiments and mass transport calculations

Insights into the electrolysis of analytes at the electrode surface of an electrospray (ES) emitter capillary are realized through an examination of the results from off-line chronopotentiometry experiments and from mass transport calculations for flow through tubular electrodes. The expected magnitudes and trends in the interfacial potential in an ES emitter under different solution conditions and current densities, using different metal electrodes, are revealed by the chronopotentiometry data. The mass transport calculations reveal the electrode area required for complete analyte electrolysis at a given volumetric flow rate. On the basis of these two pieces of information, the design of ES emitters that may maximize and those that may minimize analyte electrolysis during ES mass spectrometry are discussed.     

Short-capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection using porous etched joint for fast analysis of lidocaine and ofloxacin

This paper describes the properties of a recently developed electrospray emitter coated with a fluorinated polymer of low surface energy. The emitters can produce stable electrospray from solvents of various surface tensions including distilled water with a high surface tension at a flow rate range of micro- to nanoliters without the aid of any nebulizing gas. The electrically non-conductive nature of the tips virtually eliminates electrical discharge and allows stable electrospray in the negative ion mode. The emitters are suitable for hyphenating HPLC to mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion modes at low flow rates.     

Studying the reducing potencies of antioxidants with the electrochemistry inherently present in electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

In this proof-of-principle study, the applicability of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to characterize the reducing potencies of natural antioxidants is demonstrated. The ESI source represents a controlled-current electrochemical cell. The interfacial potential at the emitter electrode will be at or near the electrochemical potential of those reactions that sufficiently supply all the required current for the ESI circuit. Indicator molecules prone to oxidation in ESI such as amodiaquine were used to visualize the impact of reducing compounds on the interfacial potential. The extent of inhibition of the oxidation of the indicator molecule was found to be dependent on the kind and amount of antioxidant added. Concentration–inhibition curves were constructed and used to compare reducing potencies and to rank antioxidants. This ranking was found to be dependent on the electrode material–indicator molecule combination applied. For fast and automated characterization of the reducing potencies of electrochemically active molecules, a flow-injection system was combined with ESI-MS. Liquid chromatography was used to process complex biological samples, such as red and white wine. Due to their high content of different polyphenols, red wine fractions were found to exhibit higher reducing potencies than the corresponding white wine fractions. Furthermore, for 14 important natural antioxidants, the results obtained with the controlled-current EC–ESI-MS assay were compared to those obtained with chemical antioxidant assays. Irrespectively of the kind of assay used to test the reducing potency, gallic acid, quercetin, and epicatechin were found to be potent reductants. Other antioxidants performed well in one particular assay only. This observation suggests that different kinds of redox and antioxidant chemistry were assessed with each of the assays applied. Therefore, several assays should be used to comprehensively study antioxidants and their reducing potencies.

Measuring the ionic flux of an electrochemically actuated conducting polymer using modified scanning ion conductance microscopy

We propose a modification of a scanning ion conductance microscope suitable for probing an electrode in an operating electrochemical cell. We demonstrate its use by measuring salt concentration variations near a conducting polymer electrode as the polymer is electrochemically oxidized and reduced. The electrochemical control circuit is opened to isolate the working electrode, at a frequency sufficiently high that the electrode capacitance maintains the electrode potential. The local solution conductivity variations are detected through the probe current during the open-circuit time. We demonstrate two-stage ion exchange during oxidation and reduction of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films that develops strongly with repeated cycling and is correlated with actuation changes. Spatial composition variations of the film, caused by redox current distribution over the surface, and electromigration to the probe tip, causing local solution composition changes, have clear and characteristic effects on the measured transients.     

Determination of metal ions by ion chromatography with precolumn electrochemical preconcentration

The determination of heavy metals in concentrations less than 10^-6 mol/L by ion chromatography with conductivity detection requires a preconcentration step. Therefore, a special electrochemical equipment and method was developed for the on-line preconcentration of the divalent metals Ni, Co, Zn and Cd and their subsequent ion chromatographic determination. The loop of the injection valve of an ion chromatograph was replaced by an electrochemical flow-through-cell with a gold working electrode, a platinum auxiliary electrode and a silver/silver sulphate reference electrode. The preconcentration step consists of the deposition of the reduced metals on the electrode surface during a continuous pumping of the sample solution through the cell. After switching of the mobile phase through the cell, the analytes are injected after their reoxidation directly into the mobile phase. A new preconcentration step is simultaneously possible during the actual chromatographic run. An effective separation of the analytes from the matrix is also possible with the proposed system. A maximum of metal ion accumulation was obtained after 120 min in the galvanostatic mode on a gold tube electrode. The detection limits for Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were improved by a factor of 7.7, 10.4, 11.2, 14.0, respectively, and were in the 0.1 mol/L concentration range with a RSD of 2–6%. The accumulation of metal ions was disturbed in the presence of Cr(III).     

Electrochemical processes in a wire-in-a-capillary bulk-loaded, nano-electrospray emitter

Experiments are described that illustrate solvent oxidation, emitter electrode corrosion, and analyte oxidation in positive ion mode nano-electrospray mass spectrometry using a wire-in-a-capillary, bulk-loaded nano-electrospray emitter geometry. Time-lapsed color photography of pH and metal specific indicator solutions within operating nano-electrospray emitters, as well as temporal changes in the ions observed in the nano-electrospray mass spectra, are used to probe these reactions, judge their magnitude, and study the time dependent changes in solution composition and gas-phase ion signal brought about as a result of these electrochemical reactions. The significance of these observations for analytical applications of nano-electrospray mass spectrometry are discussed.     

A simple and robust conductive graphite coating for sheathless electrospray emitters used in capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry.

A graphite-polyimide mixture was used as a conductive coating for sheathless electrospray emitters. The coating procedure described is simple and inexpensive compared to previously described methods. An investigation of the stability of the conductive coating carried out by electrochemical methods revealed good performances during oxidative stress. In addition, no decrease in emitter performance was seen during continuous electrospray in the positive electrospray mode for two weeks. Fast capillary electrophoresis with attomole sensitivity demonstrated the excellent performance of the described sheathless interface when used in conjunction with an orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The overall simplicity, stability and low cost of this type of sheathless emitter make the described approach highly suitable for any on-column coupling of low flow rate separation techniques to a mass spectrometer.     

电喷雾/光电离双源型小型离子阱质谱仪的研制

构建了一套电喷雾/紫外灯双电离源离子阱质谱仪系统,用于气体和液体样品的快速检测.仪器采用非连续大气压进样技术,通过夹管阀装置来同时完成电喷雾离子和中性气态样品的采集和传输.所配备的两种电离源适合不同的分析对象,在应用上具有一定的互补性,其中电喷雾源用于溶液中极性化合物的电离,而紫外电离源主要用于分析气态有机物.本研究选择了苯甲醚、甲苯、2,4-二甲基苯胺、精氨酸、利血平和阿斯巴甜等不同类型的样品,测试了仪器在使用不同电离模式下的工作性能.结果表明,电喷雾源和紫外光电离源可用于不同类型样品的电离,在分析2,4-二甲基苯胺时还能分别生成不同类型的分子离子.两种电离源在工作时互不干扰,既能单独使用,也能同时开启,可根据检测需求随意切换工作模式,获得更全面的样品成分信息.双离子源设计是扩展小型质谱仪应用范围的一种有效途径,这种方案不会明显增加仪器的体积,却能提供更多样化的分析功能,满足对不同类型样品的检测需求.