초록 ▼

A Thermal-Assisted Electrospray Interface (TAESI) used in series between a liquid chromatograph and a mass analyzer gives increased sensitivity for detection of components in a liquid stream at high flow rates up to 2 milliliters per minute. Liquid exiting the liquid chromatograph is sprayed through

A Thermal-Assisted Electrospray Interface (TAESI) used in series between a liquid chromatograph and a mass analyzer gives increased sensitivity for detection of components in a liquid stream at high flow rates up to 2 milliliters per minute. Liquid exiting the liquid chromatograph is sprayed through a stainless steel capillary tube while being heated externally and under an applied voltage of about 3 KV. The combination of thermal energy and electric field potential disperses the liquid into a fine mist which is then directed at atmospheric pressure into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer. Such a system, optionally may additionally contain a high velocity gas flow neubulization means. The TAESI interface may be used without the electric field; however at flow rates of from 500 to 1000 m

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for forming ions at atmospheric pressure from trace sample molecules in a liquid and for introducing said ions into a mass analyzer, comprising: (a) a chamber, (b) a conductive capillary tube to receive said liquid and having a first free end within said chamber, (c) a thermal energy means

Apparatus for forming ions at atmospheric pressure from trace sample molecules in a liquid and for introducing said ions into a mass analyzer, comprising: (a) a chamber, (b) a conductive capillary tube to receive said liquid and having a first free end within said chamber, (c) a thermal energy means for heating the liquid in the tube said thermal energy means extending substantially the length of the tube within the chamber, (d) an orifice plate having an orifice therein, said tube being located on one side of said orifice plate in said chamber with said free end spaced therefrom said orifice defining an outlet from said chamber, (e) a mass analyzer on the other side of said orifice plate, outside said chamber for receiving ions passing through said orifice plate, (f) and means for generating an electronic field between said first free end and said orifice plate, (g) the pressure in said chamber being substantially atmospheric pressure, wherein the combination of said thermal energy and said electric field applied to liquid merging from the free end of said conductive tube produces a mist of finely charged droplets of said liquid so that said charged droplets evaporate in said chamber and release ions therefrom; said droplets having a predominance of singly charged ions relative to multiply charged ions and having a single polarity, either positive or negative, the same as the polarity of the applied electric field.