Applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2020: An annual review

Abstract

Recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS) analyses have seen a concerted effort to reduce the complexity of analytical workflows through the simplification (or removal) of sample preparation and the shortening of run‐to‐run analysis times. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) is an exemplar MS‐based technology that has swiftly developed into a popular and powerful tool in analytical science. This increase in interest and demonstrable applications is down to its capacity to enable the rapid analysis of a diverse range of samples, typically in their native state or following a minimalistic sample preparation approach. The field of AIMS is constantly improving and expanding, with developments of powerful and novel techniques, improvements to existing instrumentation, and exciting new applications added with each year that passes. This annual review provides an overview of applications of AIMS techniques over the past year (2020), with a particular focus on the application of AIMS in a number of key fields of research including biomedical sciences, forensics and security, food sciences, the environment, and chemical synthesis. Novel ambient ionization techniques are introduced, including picolitre pressure‐probe electrospray ionization and fiber spray ionization, in addition to modifications and improvements to existing techniques such as hand‐held devices for ease of use, and USB‐powered ion sources for on‐site analysis. In all, the information provided in this review supports the view that AIMS has become a leading approach in MS‐based analyses and that improvements to existing methods, alongside the development of novel approaches, will continue across the foreseeable future.

Sensitivity of secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to a range of volatile organic compounds: Ligand switching ion chemistry and the influence of Zspray™ guiding electric fields

“…It is the ion chemical reactions that occur between these cluster reagent ions and trace compounds introduced into the surrounding air/nitrogen that are the basis of a very sensitive analytical technique when coupled to a mass spectrometer. [1][2][3][4][5]7 Hence the term SESI-MS. 9 The ionization efficiency of SESI-MS is known to vary widely, and thus sensitivities for various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have to be obtained by calibration, as exemplified by previous work on explosives 10 and volatile fatty acids. 11 Very recently, a quantitative SESI-MS method for eight representative VOCs, including ketones (acetone, 2-butanone and 2-pentanone), alkenes (isoprene and α-terpinene) and aromatics (toluene, styrene and mesitylene), was presented, again showing wide variability in sensitivities.…”

Build, Share and Remix: 3D Printing for Speeding Up the Innovation Cycles in Ambient Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (AIMS)

“…Multiple PSI methods were published in diverse areas like medical, forensic, and food quality control. PSI was used in 20% of 2020's AIMS papers, highlighting its vast potential for practical applications [65].…”

Annual reviews: Recent advances in analytical sciences

“…Mass spectrometry (MS) is an extremely powerful analytical technique, which plays a central role in many scientific fields. The Heaney research group critically reviewed the 2021 applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), as a follow‐up to the previous year's review paper 1 . AIMS enables the surface analysis of samples in their native environment in a high‐throughput fashion and is widely used in disease diagnostics, forensics, homeland security applications, and the environmental sciences.…”