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Technology Description	Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Category	Technology
PRC	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PubMed ID	17627841
Author	Jason S. Page, Ryan T. Kelly, Keqi Tang, and Richard D. Smith
Publication Description	The ionization and transmission efficiencies of an electrospray ionization interface were investigated to advance the understanding of how these factors affect mass spectrometry sensitivity. In addition, the effects of the ES emitter distance to the inlet, solution flow rate, and inlet temperature were characterized. The study revealed a large sampling efficiency into the inlet capillary, a global rather than a local gas dynamic effect on the shape of the ES plume resulting from the gas flow conductance limit of the inlet capillary, a large loss of analyte ions after transmission through the inlet arising from incomplete desolvation at a solution flow rate of 1.0 microL/min, and a decrease in analyte ions peak intensity at lower temperatures, despite a large increase in ES current transmission efficiency.
Methodology	To spatially profile the current in the ES plume at the entrance of the inlet, a linear array of 23 electrodes was incorporated into the front section of the heated capillary assembly. Measurements of ES currents were made using a separate ESI source and a heated capillary interface that was constructed from a four-way reducing cross and flange. An ES emitter was prepared by chemical etching.