A dopant for improved sensitivity in easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry

Author(s)

Santos, Jandyson M. ^[1] ; Vendramini, Pedro H. ^[1] ; Schwab, Nicolas V. ^[1] ; Eberlin, Marcos N. ^[1] ; de Morais, Damila R. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Lab, UNICAMP, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Mass Spectrometry; v. 51, n. 1, p. 53-61, JAN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Recently, 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN) has been used to improve sensitivity of sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry. Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (EASI) is one of the simplest, gentlest and most used spray-based desorption/ionization ambient techniques, but limited sensitivity has been commonly taken as its major drawback. Herein we investigate the use of 3-NBN as a dopant in EASI-MS for improved sensitivity. Using a few typical EASI samples as test cases, the presence of 10ppm (mu gml(-1)) of 3-NBN in the spray solvent showed two to fourfold gains in EASI-MS sensitivity as measured both by total ion current and S/N ratios, accompanied with significant reductions in chemical noise. Sensitivity for DESI using 3-NBN as a dopant also improved and dopant DESI versus dopant EASI sensitivities were compared. The use of solvent dopants seems therefore to be a promising strategy to improve sensitivity for spray-based ambient MS techniques. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/19161-4 - Petroleomics by FT-MS: New Strategies for Characterization by Pre-fractionation of contaminated and emulsified oils
• Grantee: Jandyson Machado Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate