Electrochemically deposited electroactive polymer (EAP)
films were
investigated for their potential to enhance the performance of ambient
ionization mass spectrometry (MS). Several EAPs of varying hydrophobicity
were evaluated, including the superhydrophobic polymer poly[3,4-(2-dodecylethylenedioxy)thiophene]
(PEDOT-C12). The EAPs were electropolymerized onto indium
tin oxide-coated glass, placed in front of the inlet of a mass spectrometer,
and charged to 3.5–4.5 kV. Analyte solutions were then applied
to the surface, initiating ionization events. Analytes including peptides
and small molecule pharmaceuticals were studied in 0.1% formic acid
in methanol/water (“spray solvent”) as well as in synthetic
biological fluid matrices, using both EAP spray ionization (EAPSI)
and paper spray ionization (PSI). Each EAPSI analysis required as
little as 0.1 μL of solution, and the resulting sprays were
stable and reproducible. The sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD),
and limit of quantification (LOQ) were evaluated using bradykinin,
cannabinol, and cannabidiol, which were prepared in pure solvents,
artificial urine, and artificial saliva. The limits of detection and
quantitation for EAPSI were improved relative to PSI by 1–2
orders of magnitude for analytes prepared in methanol/water and on
the same order of magnitude as PSI for analytes prepared in artificial
saliva and urine. This EAP-based spray ionization technique offers
possibilities for rapid MS analysis with small sample sizes, high
accuracy, and miniaturization of MS instruments.