Exploiting the native inspiratory ability of a mass spectrometer to improve analysis efficiency

In this study, a new approach to perform self-aspirating sampling in mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was developed by using the native inspiratory ability of a mass spectrometer. Specifically, the inspiratory channel and sampling inlet of the MS instrument were integrated into a single pathway through a sealed ionization chamber to facilitate analyte delivery and improve sample utilization. Based on this approach, combined with structural simplification and optimization, a versatile electrospray ionization (ESI) source has been constructed and characterized using different mass spectrometers. In addition to the self-aspirating ability, this source configuration can provide sub-ambient pressure (SAP) conditions for ionization, which were conducive to suppressing the background ions generated from some air-involved reactions. Moreover, it can also be used directly for electrospray-driven extraction ionization. With the SAP-ESI source, a conventional mass spectrometer enables rapid analysis of both volatiles and solutions via secondary electrospray ionization and coaxial electrospray ionization, respectively. As the compact gas pathway of the source will promote the efficient transfer and ionization of the sampled substances, the total consumption of the analyte for each analysis can be reduced to subnanogram level and a subppbv limit detection is achieved. Other demonstrated features such as the versatility, easy operation as well as simple assembly will likely contribute to the prevalence of the proposed sampling and ionization strategy.