An automated electro-osmotic sample introduction/separation interface for automated electro-osmotic flow flow-injection mass spectrometry, infusion mass spectrometry and capillary electrochromatography mass spectrometry
✍ Scribed by Stephen J. Lane; Michael G. Tucker
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1998
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 862 KB
- Volume
- 12
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0951-4198
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✦ Synopsis
A novel automated electro-osmotic flow (EOF) sample introduction and separation interface has been designed, developed and successfully coupled to an electrospray mass spectrometer. The system consists of a small-footprint automated capillary electrochromatography (CEC) injection and separation interface that has an integrated autosampler and connects to the outside world via a proprietary controller for automated CEC/MS, EOF infusion and flow-injection analysis (EOFFIA). The system utilizes a previously described CEC/MS/MS micro-electrospray interface that allows optimization of the spray conditions. Short CEC columns or open capillaries are immobilized in a hollow stainless steel needle that is located in a pincher bar through which injection and running high voltage is applied. The needle assembly is easily removed for ease of column installation and changeover. At the heart of the automated system is a microprocessor-based controller which allows both manual and automated control via a 12-way key pad. The controller provides automatic indexing of a 10 position sample carousel, control of kV supply so that injection and running voltages can be set independently for full flexibility and mass spectometer synchronizing signals. The design, although currently on a Finnigan TSQ 7000, has been made flexible in both mechanical and electronic design to be easiliy adaptable to other mass spectrometers. Examples of all functions of the system are presented here including rapid flow injection and controllable infusion experiments. Simple mixtures could be separated by CEC/MS with great efficiency and sensitivity in a short time. An example of multiple automated analytical runs performed continuously over a period of 10 hours are described. We believe this is the first report of a custom built CEC system with an integrated CEC/MS/MS interface that obviates the need for an expensive and unsuitable converted commercial CE system for sample introduction whilst allowing for a useful degree of automation. This system addresses many of the robustness and reduction-topractice problems of CEC/MS and will catalyse the development of CEC/MS and allow the systematic optimization and evaluation of the technique.