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Direct desorption/ionization of analytes by microwave plasma torch for ambient mass spectrometric analysis
Author(s) -
Zhang Tiqiang,
Zhou Wei,
Jin Wei,
Zhou Jianguang,
Handberg Eric,
Zhu Zhiqiang,
Chen Huanwen,
Jin Qinhan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.3212
Subject(s) - chemistry , analyte , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , ion source , mass spectrum , ambient ionization , ionization , desorption , atmospheric pressure chemical ionization , molecule , microwave , inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry , desorption electrospray ionization , ion , chromatography , chemical ionization , organic chemistry , adsorption , physics , quantum mechanics
Ambient ionization is the new revolution in mass spectrometry (MS). A microwave plasma produced by a microwave plasma torch (MPT) at atmospheric pressure was directly used for ambient mass spectrometric analysis. H 3 O + and NH 4 + and their water clusters from the background are formed and create protonated molecules and ammoniated molecules of the analytes. In the full‐scan mass spectra, both the quasi‐molecular ions of the analytes and their characteristic ionic fragments are obtained and provide evidence of the analyte. The successful detection of active compounds in both medicine and garlic proves that MPT has the efficient desorption/ionization capability to analyze solid samples. The obtained decay curve of nicotine in exhaled breath indicates that MPT‐MS is a useful tool for monitoring gas samples in real time. These results showed that the MPT, with the advantages of stable plasma, minimal optimization, easy, solvent‐free operation, and no pretreatment, is another potential technique for ambient MS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.