Direct and Convenient Mass Spectrometry Sampling with Ambient Flame Ionization

Abstract

Recent innovations in ambient ionization technology for the direct analysis of various samples in their native environment facilitate the development and applications of mass spectrometry in natural science. Presented here is a novel, convenient and flame-based ambient ionization method for mass spectrometric analysis of organic compounds, termed as the ambient flame ionization (AFI) ion source. The key features of AFI ion source were no requirement of (high) voltages, laser beams and spray gases, but just using small size of n-butane flame (height approximately 1 cm, about 500 oC) to accomplish the rapid desorption and ionization for direct analysis of gaseous-, liquid- and solid-phase organic compounds, as well as real-world samples. This method has high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 1 picogram for propyphenazone, which allows consuming trace amount of samples. Compared to previous ionization methods, this ion source device is extremely simple, maintain-free, low-cost, user–friendly so that even an ordinary lighter (with n-butane as fuel) can achieve efficient ionization. A new orientation to mass spectrometry ion source exploitation might emerge from such a convenient, easy and inexpensive AFI ion source.

Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…The good compatibility of CFI-MS with gaseous fluid and volatile molecules can also be used for the analysis of air exhaled by humans. Analysis of trace constituents in exhaled gas can provide useful insights into biochemical processes and reveal information about metabolic dynamics . Previously, proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry have been used for direct breath analysis, but these techniques require specially designed instruments that are not widely available.…”

“…Electrospray ionization (ESI) − and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) − are two ionization methods that are currently widely used. Recently, many ambient ionization techniques based on ESI and APCI mechanisms have been developed, such as desorption electrospray ionization­(DESI), direct analysis in real time (DART), extractive electrospray ionization (EESI), and ambient flame ionization . These ambient mass spectrometric methods allow samples to be analyzed in their native states with much less sample preparation.…”

New plasma principe-based desorption/ionization technologies for organic mass spectrometry

“…尽管目前世界范围内对等离子体离子源解吸离子 化机理研究尚不十分明确, 但离子化机理的研究对离 子源的改进以及研发都有很大的促进作用 [41] . 在将等 离子体源小型化, 以更好实现等离子体离子源在成像 应用的研究方面, Zare课题组 [42] [46,47] . [48,49] .…”

“…例如, 近期的研究发现, 由于激光烧蚀实现的铜(I)催化的激 光热效应, 点击反应和铜三唑二聚体复合物在高电压 基质辅助激光解吸电离显著被加速 [62] . 本课题组 [63] [32] 微波诱导等离子体解吸/离子化 MPT Microwave plasma torch [33] 微 波 等 离 子 体 炬 MFGDP Micro-fabricated glow discharge plasma [34] 微型辉光放电等离子体 MPPDI Micro plasma probe desorption/ionization [39] 微型等离子体探针解吸/离子化 LS-APAG Liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure afterglow micro plasma ionization [40] 液体采样大气压辉光微型等离子体离子源 NAIMS Nanotip ambient ionization mass spectrometry [42] 纳米探针常压离子化质谱技术 AFI Ambient flame ionization [46] 常 压 火 焰 离 子 化 CFI Carbon fiber ionization [54] 碳 纤 维 离 子 化 http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1360/N032017-00125 的等离子体电离技术, 大大减少了样品前处理所耗费 的精力和时间, 比较适合对法庭科学领域的有毒有害 物质开展快速筛查工作. 张玉荣等 [66] 最近报道了利用 DART-TOF-MS结合离子漂移谱来快速筛查毒品.…”

Direct Analysis and Quantification of Metaldehyde in Water using Reactive Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

“…AI is a form of ionization that is performed on unmodified samples in open air and the method is capable of providing almost instantaneous data while minimizing sample preparation 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 . Some of the most popular AI techniques include desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) 30 , extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) 31 32 33 34 35 36 , desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) 37 38 39 , and direct analysis in real time (DART) 40 41 .…”