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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 9, 2018
Note: A simple dual polarity dual nanoelectrospray ionization source for ion/ion reactions
Matthew J Myer1, Ryan M Danell, Allison S Danell
1Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA.
Abstract:
A continuously operated dual polarity dual nanoelectrospray ionization source has been constructed and tested. A commercial quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer was modified to accumulate and trap ions of opposite charge. All changes to the commercial three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap have been made external to the instrument outside of the vacuum system. Few hardware modifications were required because the two emitters send ion beams through the same transmission guides. Computer controlled source voltage polarities are switched quickly and efficiently to transmit one of two continuously generated ion beams. With customized software, this design has proved simple to implement and to operate.
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