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Folded emitters for nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Kirby Andrea E.,
Jebrail Mais J.,
Yang Hao,
Wheeler Aaron R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.4787
Subject(s) - chemistry , common emitter , analyte , mass spectrometry , capillary action , electrospray ionization , chromatography , ionization , capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry , electrospray , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , ion , physics , materials science , composite material
Electrospray ionization (ESI) has revolutionized mass spectrometry (MS), providing a facile method for the ionization of macromolecules for analysis by mass. The development of nanoESI‐MS has further extended the utility of ESI‐MS, permitting the analysis of small‐volume samples with enhanced sensitivity over conventional ESI‐MS. Traditional nanoESI‐MS experiments use pulled‐glass capillary emitters, which are expensive to purchase and require specialized instruments and training to fabricate in‐house. Furthermore, these emitters suffer from problems including clogging, sample contamination, and irreproducible spray stability. Here, we report a new emitter for nanoESI‐MS, made by folding small pieces of polyimide tape. In comparison with conventional pulled‐glass capillary emitters, the new emitters are inexpensive and simple to make. Their low cost makes them disposable after a single use, such that sample contamination or clogging is never a problem. Emitter performance has been evaluated for diverse analytes encompassing a large mass range, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. In all cases, the performance is similar to that of pulled‐glass capillary emitters, with the advantages of low cost, ease of use, and disposability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.