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A novel laser desorption/ionization method using through hole porous alumina membranes
Author(s) -
Naito Yasuhide,
Kotani Masahiro,
Ohmura Takayuki
Publication year - 2018
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.8252
Subject(s) - membrane , chemistry , ionization , matrix assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization , desorption , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , laser , ion source , ion , matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization , chromatography , optics , electron ionization , organic chemistry , adsorption , biochemistry , physics
Rationale A novel matrix‐free laser desorption/ionization method based on porous alumina membranes was developed. The porous alumina membranes have a two‐dimensional (2D) ordered structure consisting of closely aligned straight through holes of sub‐micron in diameter that are amenable to mass production by industrial fabrication processes. Methods Considering a balance between the ion generating efficiency and the mechanical strength of the membranes, the typical values for the hole diameter, open aperture ratio and membrane thickness were set to 200 nm, 50% and 5 μm, respectively. The membranes were coated with platinum on a single side that was exposed to the laser. Evaluation experiments were conducted on the feasibility of this membrane structure for an ionization method using a single peptide and mixed peptides and polyethylene glycol samples and a commercial matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer in the positive ion mode. Results Results showed a softness of ionization and no sweet spot nature. The capillary action of the through holes with very high aspect ratio enables several loading protocols including sample impregnation from the surface opposite to the laser exposure side. Conclusions The feasibility study indicates that the through hole porous alumina membranes have several advantages in terms of usefulness over the conventional surface‐assisted laser desorption ionization (SALDI) methods. The proposed novel ionization method is termed Desorption Ionization Using Through Hole Alumina Membrane (DIUTHAME).