Continuous flow ion mobility separation with mass spectrometric detection using a nano-radial differential mobility analyzer at low flow rates

Anal Chem. 2013 May 7;85(9):4335-41. doi: 10.1021/ac3032417. Epub 2013 Apr 18.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Flow Injection Analysis* / instrumentation
  • Free Radicals / analysis
  • Nanostructures / analysis*
  • Nitrogen / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / instrumentation
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Nitrogen