Electrochemical processes in a wire-in-a-capillary bulk-loaded, nano-electrospray emitter.
Experiments are described that illustrate solvent oxidation, emitter electrode corrosion, and analyte oxidation in positive ion mode nano-electrospray mass spectrometry using a wire-in-a-capillary, bulk-loaded nano-electrospray emitter geometry. Time-lapsed color photography of pH and metal specific indicator solutions within operating nano-electrospray emitters, as well as temporal changes in the ions observed in the nano-electrospray mass spectra, are used to probe these reactions, judge their magnitude, and study the time dependent changes in solution composition and gas-phase ion signal brought about as a result of these electrochemical reactions. The significance of these observations for analytical applications of nano-electrospray mass spectrometry are discussed.
Van Berkel
G J
GJ
Chemical and Analytical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee 37831-6365, USA. vanberkelgj@ornl.gov
Asano
K G
KG
Schnier
P D
PD