Nanospray mass spectrometry with indirect conductive graphite coating

Summary, in English

An easy and cost-effective method to manufacture a robust conductive graphite coating for nanospray mass spectrometry (nESI-MS) and capillary electrophoresis (CE)-nESI-MS is described. The method involves graphite coating of a tube sleeve, into which the nESI emitter is inserted and connected to a transfer capillary, instead of coating the actual emitter. The coating, made of graphite from a pencil and epoxy glue, was stable over long periods of use (>80 h) and showed excellent resistance toward various solvents. Stable electrospray was achieved in the investigated flow range (150-900 nL min(-1)), and salbutamol, diphenhydramine, and nortriptyline (M-w: 239-263 g mol(-1)) were detected in the nanomole per liter range during continuous pumping. CE-nESI-MS analysis gave excellent signal-to-noise ratios for 100-fmol injections. The technique allows simple exchange of the nESI emitter to suit a specific flow rate, and it minimizes risk of corona discharge.

• Author: Peter Viberg; Staffan Nilsson; Kerstin Skog
• Department/s: Centre for Analysis and Synthesis; Division of Food and Pharma
• Publishing year: 2004
• Language: English
• Pages: 4241-4244
• Publication/Series: Analytical Chemistry
• Volume: 76
• Issue: 14
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac049728e
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: The American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Topic: Analytical Chemistry
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1520-6882