Tee-Shaped Sample Introduction Device Coupled with Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry for Gaseous Analytes

Abstract

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) is simple to operate for analytes adsorbed on the surface of various shaped probes. However, gaseous substances or liquids that are easy to evaporate, diffuse, and escape in the atmosphere are harder to capture. In this work, a Teeshaped sample introduction device coupled with direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is developed. The Tee-shaped device is placed between the DART ion source and the MS inlet with a heated sample transfer tube. Gaseous samples from either a Tedlar sampling bag or liquids evaporated from a graduated syringe were tested. The Tee-shaped device was used for several volatile organic compounds with a wide range of boiling points, and detection limits of ng/mL to fg/mL were obtained. To test the device for real-life samples, puff-by-puff analysis of a complex gaseous mainstream smoke was performed. Individual puffs can be analyzed rapidly, and there is no cross contamination between consecutive puffs. The dynamic changes of chemical components among different puffs for different types of cigarettes can be observed. This work provides a universal Tee-shaped sampling device to enhance AIMS for the analysis of volatile compounds and gases, which is adapted to different sampling modules applicable for various forms of samples. The device enables direct exploration of chemical components in complex gaseous samples without tedious sample preparation and time-consuming LC or GC separation.

GC-MS exploration of photochemically generated species of Os, W and Ru from reductive and oxidative media

“…Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART)/Orbitrap MS approaches possess a number of advantages for the detection of organometallic compounds 50 as well as identifying volatile analytes transported from GLS units used in vapor generation systems 51–54 and may offer a suitable solution to this conundrum, especially with advantage being taken of crossing the He DART beam with the effluent from a GLS within a T-shaped sample introduction device for improved efficiency/performance. 55…”

High‐resolution mass spectrometry exhalome profiling with a modified direct analysis in real time ion source

“…A home‐made interface device was installed between the outlet of the DART source and the inlet of the mass spectrometer, creating a confined area between them. The detailed dimensions of the interface device are described in a previous report 36 . The temperature of the sampling tube of the interface device was set to 120°C.…”

“…Real‐time and high‐throughput evaluation of complex volatile specimens using DART is still difficult. We recently reported a sampling device used to modify the DART ion source for high‐resolution MS (HRMS) 36 . The modified DART‐HRMS analytical system can significantly reduce the sample loss of gaseous and volatile species and greatly enhance ion transmission efficiency as well.…”

“…We recently reported a sampling device used to modify the DART ion source for highresolution MS (HRMS). 36 The modified DART-HRMS analytical system can significantly reduce the sample loss of gaseous and volatile species and greatly enhance ion transmission efficiency as well. It is promising for the high-throughput analysis of complex volatile samples.…”

Applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2021: An annual review

“…DART-MS has seen changes in the form of modifications to the inlet system such as the development of a tee-shaped device for the introduction of gaseous samples into the ion source. 154 Finally, the implementation of different internal standard strategies has been explored with DESI, demonstrating optimal and inappropriate methods for the introduction of internal standards to achieve the best quantitative results. 155 Interestingly, there has been a recent increase in the supplemen- coupled with a range of AIMS techniques, including PESI for the detection of drugs of abuse, 156 both PESI and CBS to monitor drug biotransformations, 157 DART to detect pesticides and pharmaceuticals in surface water 114 and using the SPME device itself as an ESI emitter for direct analysis of biological samples in front of the MS inlet.…”