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Published on: January 20, 2022
Electrically compensated Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance cell for complex mixture mass analysis
Nathan K Kaiser1, Joshua J Savory, Amy M McKenna
1National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-4005, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|August 16, 2011
Summary
A new voltage-compensated ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) cell significantly enhances Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) performance for analyzing complex petroleum mixtures. This advancement allows for better separation and identification of thousands of elemental compositions, improving mass spectral resolution.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
- Petroleum Geochemistry
Background:
- Complex organic mixtures like petroleum necessitate ultrahigh mass spectral resolution for comprehensive analysis.
- Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) is a key technique for elemental composition determination.
- Previous ICR cell designs required optimization for improved performance in analyzing challenging samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To incorporate a custom-built, voltage-compensated ICR cell into a 9.4 T FTICR mass spectrometer.
- To enhance mass resolution and ion cloud coherence for analyzing petroleum samples.
- To enable the separation and identification of isobaric species in complex organic mixtures.
Main Methods:
- Designed and constructed a seven-segment cylindrical ICR cell with optimized axial proportions.
- Applied empirically optimized compensation voltages to minimize cyclotron frequency variations.
- Utilized atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for positive ion mode analysis of petroleum.
Main Results:
- The compensated ICR cell doubled ion cloud coherence time, improving transient duration.
- Achieved Fourier-limited resolving power of 800,000 at m/z 500 with a 6.6 s transient.
- Generated petroleum spectra with over 26,000 assigned peaks and a root mean square error of 124 ppb.
Conclusions:
- The voltage-compensated ICR cell significantly improves FTICR MS performance for complex mixtures.
- Enhanced resolution and mass accuracy facilitate the identification of isobaric species in petroleum.
- Tunability of compensation electrodes is crucial for achieving optimal mass spectral resolution and accuracy.
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