A Liquid Injection Field Desorption/Ionization-Electrospray Ionization Combination Source for a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

A new type of combination ion source has been devised. It unites two complementary ionization methods, i.e., liquid injection field desorption/ionization (LIFDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). This LIFDI-ESI combination ion source has been constructed for a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. The LIFDI-ESI combination ion source can be switched between the LIFDI and ESI modes of operation within 15 min without breaking the vacuum. The source design and its operation are described. LIFDI-FT-ICR spectra of the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)-phosphonium tris(pentafluoroethyl)-trifluorophosphate, polyethylene glycol 600, 2,3,4-tridodecyloxy-benzaldehyde, and [60]fullerene are described.