title: Systematic examination of the signal area precision of a single quadrupole enhanced low mass option (ELMO) MSQ [corrected] mass spectrometer.
abstract: To examine the precision of the signal area response of an enhanced low mass option (ELMO) MSQmass spectrometer, operated in the negative electrospray ionization (ESI) mode, extended tests were performed, using flow injection analysis mass spectrometry (FIA-MS). Analytes were nitrate, nitrite, malonic acid, and D,L-mandelic acid. Composition and concentration of injected samples, application of an ASRS anion suppressor and of the cone wash unit, methanol addition to the FIA flow medium, and the voltage bias of the hexapole transfer lens were test variables. Individual test cycles comprised up to 90 injections, processed within 20 h. With a few exceptions the signal response tended to decline over time leading to a loss of more than 80% of the initial signal area in extreme cases. A hexapole radio-frequency (RF) voltage bias of -0.3 V led to an overall low detector response and to high losses of sensitivity over time. Other correlations between the insufficient signal reproducibility and FIA-MS operating conditions could not be established. The test scheme gave hints how to localize the cause of the mass spectrometer malfunction. The repetition of the test scheme after remedying the detected electronic default demonstrated that relative standard deviations less than 5% can be achieved for a sequence of 30 injections if methanol is added to the FIA flow medium and if a suppressor is used. Based on these findings a recommendation is formulated to supplement current test schemes for instrument performance verification by a detector response precision criterion.
authors.affiliation: University of Trier, Faculty VI - Geography and Geosciences, Department of Analytical and Ecological Chemistry, Behringstr. 21, 54296 Trier, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Höffler
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer