Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Fizzy Extraction of Volatile Organic Compounds Combined with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry
Published on: July 14, 2017
Super-Atmospheric Pressure Ion Sources: Application and Coupling to API Mass Spectrometer
Lee Chuin Chen1, Md Matiur Rahman2, Kenzo Hiraoka2
1Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi.
Pressurizing atmospheric pressure ionization (API) sources above 1 atm enhances performance for techniques like electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). This strategy improves stability and sensitivity, particularly for specific applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Atmospheric Pressure Ionization (API) sources are widely used in mass spectrometry.
- Current API sources typically operate at atmospheric pressure (1 atm).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of operating API sources at pressures greater than 1 atm.
- To explore methods for improving API source performance through elevated pressure operation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a suitable vacuum interface to couple high-pressure ion sources to mass spectrometers.
- Operating Electrospray Ionization (ESI) and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) sources at super-atmospheric pressures.
Main Results:
- Super-atmospheric pressure operation enabled stable electrospray for high surface tension liquids.
- Enhanced stability and sensitivity were observed for nanoESI, especially in negative mode.
- APCI showed increased ion intensity with pressure up to an optimum of 4-5 atm due to enhanced ion-molecule reactions and gas intake.
Conclusions:
- Pressurizing API sources beyond 1 atm is a viable strategy for performance enhancement.
- Careful consideration of vacuum interface coupling is necessary for integrating high-pressure sources.
- This approach offers improved sensitivity and stability for various API techniques.
More Related Videos
05:48Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry
Published on: September 5, 2014
08:43PTR-ToF-MS Coupled with an Automated Sampling System and Tailored Data Analysis for Food Studies: Bioprocess Monitoring, Screening and Nose-space Analysis
Published on: May 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
Mass Analyzers: Common Types