Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
A carbon fiber ionization (CFI) technique was developed for the mass spectrometric analysis of various organic compounds with different polarities. The design of the CFI technique was based on the good compatibility and dispersion of samples and solutions in different solvents on carbon fiber. As a fast, convenient, and versatile ionization method, CFI-MS is especially efficient for analyzing many low/nonpolar organic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, long-chain aliphatic aldehydes, sensitive steroids, terpenoids, and organometallic compounds. Some of these compounds may not be well-analyzed by electrospray ionization or electron ionization mass spectrometry. On the basis of our experimental results, the major ion formation mechanism of CFI-MS was suggested to involve desorption in a steam-distillation-like process, and then, ionization occurred mainly via corona discharge under high voltage. CFI-MS could not only work alone but also be coupled with separation techniques. It works well when coupled with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) as well as in the analysis of exhaled human air. The high flexibility and versatility of CFI-MS has extended its applications in many areas, such as fast chemical screening, clinical testing, and forensic analysis.
State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and National Center for Organic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Meng-Xi
MX
Wu
State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and National Center for Organic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Hao-Yang
HY
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and National Center for Organic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Jun-Ting
JT
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and National Center for Organic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Yin-Long
YL
Guo
D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002244:Carbon