Nanobubbles in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nanobubbles (NBs) are stable, nanoscale gas cavities in liquids with unique properties.
• Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is a powerful analytical technique for detecting molecules in solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the application of nanobubbles in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
• To evaluate the impact of nanobubbles on signal response, protein analysis, and reactive ESI.

Main Methods:

• Addition of CO2 or N2 nanobubbles to spray solvents for ESI-MS.
• Analysis of small molecules and proteins using nanobubble-enhanced ESI-MS.
• Investigation of reactive ESI experiments with and without nanobubbles.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in signal responses for small molecules in both positive and negative ESI-MS modes.
• Increased signal intensities and charge states for proteins, attributed to enhanced interfacial area and analyte transport.
• Enhanced reaction conversion rates in reactive ESI, with CO2 nanobubbles showing superior performance.
• Overcoming solubility limitations for gaseous reagents in reactions.

Conclusions:

• Nanobubbles are effective in enhancing ESI-MS performance for various analytes.
• NBs offer a versatile tool for improving analytical sensitivity, protein characterization, and reaction efficiency in ESI-based applications.