Direct Current Arc Plasma-Excited Nebulizer Gas-Assisted Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Traditional electrospray ionization (ESI) often requires high-voltage supplies.
• Plasma-assisted ESI uses plasma as an auxiliary enhancer.
• A need exists for simpler, more robust ionization platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel pulsed electrospray ionization (ESI) source driven solely by a DC arc.
• To investigate the mechanism of DC arc plasma-excited nebulizing gas-assisted ESI (DCAPENG-ESI).
• To evaluate the performance of DCAPENG-ESI for mass spectrometry applications.

Main Methods:

• A pulsed DC arc was generated between a capillary electrode and a counter electrode.
• The arc excited the nebulizing gas (NG), initiating electrospray and generating ions.
• DCAPENG-ESI was coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) for analysis.

Main Results:

• The DC arc simultaneously initiated electrospray and generated ions, eliminating the need for external high voltage.
• DCAPENG-ESI enhanced ionization efficiency through increased NG excitation energy and unique pathways like Penning ionization.
• Analysis of plasticizers showed excellent linearity, low detection limits, and high recoveries, with high signal-to-noise ratios and minimal background noise.

Conclusions:

• DCAPENG-ESI is a novel, self-sufficient ionization source driven by a pulsed DC arc.
• This method offers enhanced ionization for challenging analytes and improved salt tolerance in MS.
• DCAPENG-ESI presents a simple, robust, and versatile platform for mass spectrometry.