Fundamental studies with a monodisperse aerosol-based liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry interface (MAGIC-LC/MS)

Accomplishments on the fundamental studies with a monodisperse aerosol-based liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) interface during the period 1 December 1989 to 30 November 1990 are summarized. In order to determine the influence of temperature on the vaporization and decomposition properties of molecules, test have been carried out on both thermally stable and thermally labile molecules. The test compounds used were a series of polynuclear aromatic (PAH) compounds covering a wide range of molecular weights from two-ring naphthalene to twelve-ring perylene. The less thermally stable species examined were aldicarb, a highly thermally labile pesticide, and cholesterol, which readily loses water when subjected to high temperatures. A new, externally heated probe, which can be raised to temperatures as high as 500{degree}C was also used. Matrix loading effects for a range of surface active and non-surface active compounds in three different matrices: glycerol, 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol, and thioglycerol for fast atom bombardment (FAB) particle beam LC/MS have been studied. The time dependence of FAB spectra generation in the particle beam system has been examined and contrasted with ion generation in normal probe FAB work. Future FAB LC/MS research is outlined. 3 refs. (BM)