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Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

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Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

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Published on: January 20, 2022

Characterizing electrospray ionization using atmospheric pressure ion mobility spectrometry.

Xiaoting Tang¹, James E Bruce, Herbert H Hill

¹Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.

Analytical Chemistry

|November 16, 2006

Summary

Higher flow rates in electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) increase signal intensity, contrary to ESI-MS findings. This study reveals flow rate

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Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Mass Spectrometry
Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Background:

Reduced flow rates in electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) typically enhance sensitivity and reduce noise.
Miniaturization of electrospray ionization (ESI) sources to nano-ESI has led to significant sensitivity improvements in ESI-MS.
A contradictory observation was made regarding flow rate effects in atmospheric pressure ESI-ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS).

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate and rationalize the observed inverse relationship between flow rate and ion signal intensity in ESI-IMS.
To independently study ionization efficiency in ESI-IMS, where ion transfer is constant.
To demonstrate the impact of flow rate, analyte concentration, and solvent composition on ionization efficiency in ESI-IMS.

Main Methods:

Systematic investigation of signal intensity and ionization efficiency under varied experimental conditions using ESI-IMS.
Utilized a nanospray emitter for atmospheric pressure ESI-IMS experiments.
Analyzed ionization efficiency as a function of flow rate, analyte concentration, and solvent composition.

Main Results:

Contrary to ESI-MS, higher flow rates in ESI-IMS consistently yielded higher ion signal intensity.
Ion transfer was found to be constant regardless of flow rate changes in atmospheric pressure ESI-IMS.
Demonstrated that ionization efficiency in ESI-IMS can be studied independently of transmission efficiency.

Conclusions:

The established principles of reduced flow rate enhancing sensitivity in ESI-MS do not directly apply to ESI-IMS.
Constant ion transfer in ESI-IMS allows for independent assessment of ionization efficiency, offering unique analytical insights.
Flow rate, analyte concentration, and solvent composition are critical factors influencing ionization efficiency in ESI-IMS.