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Molecular Colocalization Using Massive Gold Cluster Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Michael J Eller1, Anita Vinjamuri1, Bryan E Tomlin1
1Department of Chemistry , Texas A and M University , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|October 9, 2018
Summary
Impacts of massive gold clusters significantly enhance molecular ion emission for secondary ion mass spectrometry. Larger gold clusters (Au2800^8+) produced a 6-9 fold increase in detected molecular ions compared to smaller clusters or other ion types.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) is a powerful surface analysis technique.
- Efficient molecular ion emission is crucial for analyzing complex organic molecules in SIMS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ion emission characteristics of hypervelocity massive gold clusters for SIMS applications.
- To evaluate the impact of gold cluster size and energy on molecular and fragment ion emission.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two massive gold clusters: 520 keV Au400^4+ and 1040 keV Au2800^8+.
- Analyzed ion emission from neat samples and biomolecules (glycine, phenylalanine, arginine, gramicidin S).
- Compared gold cluster impacts with Ar2000^+ and (H2O)7000^+ impacts.
Main Results:
- A 2-4 fold increase in molecular ion emission was observed with 1040 keV Au2800^8+ compared to 520 keV Au400^4+.
- Impacts of 1040 keV Au2800^8+ showed a 6-9 fold increase in detected molecular ions per impact versus Ar2000^+ and (H2O)7000^+.
- Analysis of impact crater size and molecular-to-fragment ion ratios provided insights into enhanced emission.
Conclusions:
- Hypervelocity massive gold clusters, particularly larger ones, significantly enhance molecular ion emission in SIMS.
- The findings suggest potential for improved sensitivity and molecular information retrieval in SIMS analysis.
- Characterization of the Au2800^8+ cluster and its ion source provides operational context.
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