title: Particle size distribution is not the major factor explaining variable analyte transmission efficiency in liquid chromatography/particle beam/mass spectrometry.
abstract: We characterized the particle size distribution and the analyte transmission efficiency of a liquid chromatography/particle beam/mass spectrometry (LC/PB/MS) system as a function of experimental variations normally used to optimize the LC/PB/MS system. The particle size distribution was evaluated using an electrical differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) and both the DMPS and the mass spectrometer were used to evaluate transmission. The latter results were correlated to provide evidence related to mechanisms which contribute to poor sample transmission. Addition of ammonium acetate buffer did not increase the aerosol particle mean diameter. However, it did lead to significant increases in caffeine transmission efficiency observed in both the DMPS and the mass spectrometer. Our results were interpreted to suggest a possible electrostatic cause for quantitative anomalies in LC/PB/MS rather than simple mass discrimination in the particle beam momentum separator.
authors.affiliation: USFDA, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arizona 72079.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wilkes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zarrin
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Lay
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vestal
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols