A planar on-chip micro-nib interface for NanoESI–MS microfluidic applications

Arscott, S.; Gac, Séverine Le; Druon, C.; Tabourier, P.; Rolando, Christian

doi:10.1088/0960-1317/14/2/021

Cited by 48 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The idea of such an emitter tip has been recently validated through the fabrication and testing of two series of nib tips [24,25,28,30]. The planar design of nib sources allows easy loading by droplet deposition that can be straightforwardly automated.…”

Section: Nib Structure and Functioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

An open design microfabricated nib-like nanoelectrospray emitter tip on a conducting silicon substrate for the application of the ionization voltage

Gac

Rolando

Arscott

2006

J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.

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This paper describes a novel emitter tip having the shape of a nib and based on an open structure for nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS). The nib structure is fabricated with standard lithography techniques using SU-8, an epoxy-based negative photoresist. The tip is comprised of a reservoir, a capillary slot and a point-like feature, and is fabricated on a silicon wafer. We present here a novel scheme for interfacing such nib tips to MS by applying the ionization voltage directly onto the semi-conductor support. The silicon support is in direct contact with the liquid to be analyzed at the reservoir and microchannel level, thus allowing easy use in ESI-MS. This scheme is especially advantageous for automated analysis as the manual step of positioning a metallic wire into the reservoir is avoided. In addition, the analysis performance was enhanced compared with the former scheme, as demonstrated by the tests of standard peptides (gramicidin S, Glu-fibrinopeptide B). The limit of detection was determined to be lower than 10 Ϫ 2 M. Due to their enhanced performance, these microfabricated sources might be of great interest for analysis requiring very high sensitivity, such as proteomics analysis using nanoESI-MS. Proteomics studies are carried out on small amounts of sample and, thereby, need highly sensitive analysis techniques. ESI-MS matches this sensitivity criterion [2]. It also enables species identification using their precise molecular weights and provides fragment sequences using the MS/MS mode [1,3]. Therefore, ESI-MS is one of the best techniques for use in proteomics.Nanospraying is usually performed using glass or fused-silica-based capillary tips [2], and the spray is obtained by applying the ionization voltage to the electrical conductive tip or through the sample solution. However, capillary sources present a number of weaknesses: (1) a poorly controlled fabrication route resulting in a low reproducibility of the sources, (2) an irregular profile of the aperture after source opening, (3) easy clogging due to the small i.d., (4) signal suppression caused by air bubbles, and (5) deterioration of the conductive coating [4,5] upon operation.Different improvements regarding the quality of the emitter tip are proposed in the literature. Reproducible dimensions can be achieved using an enhanced fabrication route based on laser-micromachining [6,7]. More stable coatings have also been reported [8 -10]. Most of these improvements, however, do not solve the basic problems of clogging and the lack of reproducibility that affect the analysis conditions. Using microtechnology techniques, reproducible and ready-to-use high-quality nanospray tips can be produced in large batches. The tip geometry can be chosen to allow on-chip integration together with other microfluidic components, e.g., a chromatography column, and also to be compatible with the use of standard robots. Microfabrication of ESI emitter tips follows two main approaches: (1) a "needle-like" ap- Our approach is to design an em...

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Section: Nib Structure and Functioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

An open design microfabricated nib-like nanoelectrospray emitter tip on a conducting silicon substrate for the application of the ionization voltage

Gac

Rolando

Arscott

2006

J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.

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“…Disposable m-TAS devices must be manufactured at a reduced cost and with simple fabrication processes, the reason why polymeric materials have come to dominate this research area in the recent years [9]. Microchips with onchip integrated ESI-emitter structures have been fabricated in various polymeric materials including polycarbonate [10,11], poly(methyl methacrylate) [10,12], Zeonor [13], polyimide [14], and SU-8 epoxy [15]. The emitters differ in design with some having, for example, open-tip structures making coverlids unnecessary [12,13,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microchips with onchip integrated ESI-emitter structures have been fabricated in various polymeric materials including polycarbonate [10,11], poly(methyl methacrylate) [10,12], Zeonor [13], polyimide [14], and SU-8 epoxy [15]. The emitters differ in design with some having, for example, open-tip structures making coverlids unnecessary [12,13,15]. The ability for mass-fabrication is in some cases limited by a process step that needs to be applied to each separate emitter, such as mechanical abrasion [10,11] or individual cutting [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrokinetic-driven microfluidic system in poly(dimethylsiloxane) for mass spectrometry detection integrating sample injection, capillary electrophoresis, and electrospray emitter on-chip

Thorslund¹,

Lindberg²,

Andrén

et al. 2005

Electrophoresis

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A novel microsystem device in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for MS detection is presented. The microchip integrates sample injection, capillary electrophoretic separation, and electrospray emitter in a single substrate, and all modules are fabricated in the PDMS bulk material. The injection and separation flow is driven electrokinetically and the total amount of external equipment needed consists of a three-channel high-voltage power supply. The instant switching between sample injection and separation is performed through a series of low-cost relays, limiting the separation field strength to a maximum of 270 V/cm. We show that this set-up is sufficient to accomplish electrospray MS analysis and, to a moderate extent, microchip separation of standard peptides. A new method of instant in-channel oxidation makes it possible to overcome the problem of irreversibly bonded PDMS channels that have recovered their hydrophobic properties over time. The fast method turns the channel surfaces hydrophilic and less prone to nonspecific analyte adsorption, yielding better separation efficiencies and higher apparent peptide mobilities.

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“…The authors stress that their fabrication method is well-controlled and inexpensive, while leaving room for different designs. Another research group, including Arscott et al [84] and Le Gac et al [85], also produced fountain pentype electrospray emitters. Arscott and Le Gac's group used SU-8 as their production material, which is well compatible with the analysis of proteins.…”

Section: Electrospray Emittersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent developments in detection for microfluidic systems

2004

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Microfluidic systems have become more and more important in the field of analytical chemistry. Detection methods on these microsystems are essential for the identification and quantification of chemical species that are being analyzed. This review concentrates on the latest developments of optical detection methods and mass spectrometry in conjunction with microfluidic systems. Electrochemical methods are discussed in another review in the same issue of this journal. Within the optical detection section, topics such as multiplexed detection and the use of waveguides are discussed. Within the discussion of mass spectrometry, the main focus is on electrospray emitters as interfaces between microsystem and spectrometer. Apart from optical detection and mass spectrometry, other techniques such as flame ionization and nuclear magnetic resonance are also mentioned.

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A planar on-chip micro-nib interface for NanoESI–MS microfluidic applications

Cited by 48 publications

References 34 publications

An open design microfabricated nib-like nanoelectrospray emitter tip on a conducting silicon substrate for the application of the ionization voltage

An open design microfabricated nib-like nanoelectrospray emitter tip on a conducting silicon substrate for the application of the ionization voltage

Electrokinetic-driven microfluidic system in poly(dimethylsiloxane) for mass spectrometry detection integrating sample injection, capillary electrophoresis, and electrospray emitter on-chip

Recent developments in detection for microfluidic systems

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