Abstract
We present here novel tips for nanoelectrosray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) applications. These ionization sources have a planar geometry in the shape of a nib. Their functioning is based on a principle much akin to that of a fountain pen in that fluids are actuated by capillarity. Once a voltage is applied, an electrospray is formed at the nib tip. The nib fabrication relies on micromachining techniques using the epoxy-based negative photoresist SU-8 and a double exposure photolithographic process. Two types of nib-like sources were fabricated; they were made either conductive by metallization with a nickel layer or non-conductive but hydrophilic by covering them with a SiO2 layer. In the latter case, the HV was applied via a Pt wire inserted into the reservoir feature of the nib. The nib-like sources were tested on an ion trap mass spectrometer using Gramicidin S samples at concentrations as low as 1 µM and ionization voltages as low as 1.2 kV. We have observed a good overall stability of the spray during the tests with no marked decrease in the signal intensity even under extreme conditions.
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Published online January 15, 2004
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Le Gac, S., Cren-Olivé, C., Rolando, C. et al. A novel nib-like design for microfabricated nanospray tips. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 15, 409–412 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasms.2003.11.001
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasms.2003.11.001