title: Continuous flow ion mobility separation with mass spectrometric detection using a nano-radial differential mobility analyzer at low flow rates.
abstract: We describe a hybrid mass-mobility instrument in which a continuous-flow ion mobility classifier is used as a front-end separation device for mass spectrometric analysis of ions generated with an electrospray ionization source. Using nitrogen as a carrier gas, the resolving power of the nano-radial differential mobility analyzer (nRDMA) for nanometer-sized ions is 5-7 for tetraalkylammonium ions. Data are presented demonstrating the ability of the system to resolve the different aggregation and charge states of tetraalkylammonium ions and protonated peptides using a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometer to analyze the mobility-classified ions. Specifically, data are presented for the two charge states of the decapeptide Gramicidin S. A key feature of the new instrument is the ability to continuously transmit ions with specific mobilities to the mass spectrometer for manipulation and analysis.
authors.affiliation: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States. n7brunelli@gmail.com
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Brunelli
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Neidholdt
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Giapis
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Flagan
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beauchamp
mesh_terms: D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000032:analysis; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D009584:Nitrogen