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Glass microfluidic devices with thin membrane voltage junctions for electrospray mass spectrometry
Guihua Eileen Yue1, Michael G Roper, Erin D Jeffery
1Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400319, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
Lab on a Chip
|May 26, 2005
Summary
A novel glass membrane enables high voltage (HV) liquid electrospray in microdevices, avoiding metal-liquid contact and bubble formation. This interface offers advantages for electrospray mass spectrometry applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Traditional electrospray interfaces often involve direct metal-liquid contact, leading to issues like bubble formation from water hydrolysis.
- Existing microfluidic devices can suffer from dead volume, impacting sample efficiency.
- Developing robust high-voltage interfaces for microdevices is crucial for advanced analytical techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel glass membrane for high-voltage (HV) liquid electrospray generation in microfabricated devices.
- To investigate the advantages of this interface, including the elimination of metal-liquid contact and dead volume.
- To explore the impact of microdevice outlet design on electrospray performance for mass spectrometry.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microfluidic device incorporating a novel glass membrane for HV conduction.
- Generation of liquid electrospray and analysis of Taylor cone formation and mass spectra.
- Evaluation of different outlet designs and hydrophobic coatings on the microdevice interface.
- Testing with standard proteins to assess performance for electrospray mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- The glass membrane successfully facilitated HV liquid electrospray, confirmed by Taylor cone formation and mass spectra.
- The novel interface eliminated bubble formation and dead volume, unlike traditional methods.
- Preliminary results indicated the utility of specific outlet designs and hydrophobic coatings for protein analysis.
- The exact mechanism of voltage conduction through the glass membrane requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- The developed glass membrane provides a viable HV interface for microfluidic electrospray generation, offering significant advantages over conventional methods.
- This approach enhances stability and efficiency by preventing bubble formation and dead volume.
- Further optimization of microdevice outlet geometry and surface treatments holds promise for improved electrospray mass spectrometry applications.