Method for Continuous Monitoring of Electrospray Ion Formation

A method for continuously monitoring the performance of electrospray ionization without the addition of hardware or chemistry to the system is demonstrated. In the method, which we refer to as SprayDx, cluster ions with solvent vapor natively formed by electrospray are followed throughout the collection of liquid chromatography–selected reaction monitoring data. The cluster ion extracted ion chromatograms report on the consistency of the ion formation and detection system. The data collected by the SprayDx method resemble the data collected for postcolumn infusion of analyte. The response of the cluster ions monitored reports on changes in the physical parameters of the ion source such as voltage and gas flow. SprayDx is also observed to report on ion suppression in a fashion very similar to a postcolumn infusion of analyte. We anticipate the method finding utility as a continuous readout on the performance of electrospray and other atmospheric pressure ionization processes.

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