A mass spectrometer measures the abundance and mass-to charge ratio (m/z) of ions.
- +
H+ Hydrogen H (neutral) H-
(cation) with 1 valence electron (anion)
(see also slides „Polarity-Basics“)
sample
mass
introduction ion source detector computer
analyzer
/inlet
vaccum or atmospheric
pressure vaccum chamber
sample
mass
introduction ion source detector computer
analyzer
/inlet
vaccum or atmospheric
pressure vaccum chamber
Definition
A beam of electrons (e-) passes through a gas phase sample containing the analytes
(M). The collision of the beams electrons with a neutral molecule can cause an electron
from the molecule to be knocked off. The result is a positively charged molecule (M•+), a
radical cation.
M + e- M•+ + 2 e-
via the analysis of individual and unique fragmentation patterns („fingerprint“), EI and
ECI provide information about the structure of an analyte and enables the identification
of unknown compounds
Chemical ionization
Definition
Ions are produced through ion-analyte collision. A reagent gas (R) present in the ion
source (e.g. methane CH4, ammonia NH3) is ionised by electrons. Positively or
negatively charged analyte ions (M) are then generated through collision of the analyte
with the ionised reagent gas.
R + e- R+ + 2 e- Ionisation of
R+ + RH RH+ + R reagent gas R
Chemical ionization
Definition
Electrospray ionization is a atmospheric pressure ionization method, in which high
voltage is applied to create a spray of fine droplets (aerosol) containing the analytes. In
this process the solvent in desolvated/evaporated, i.e. removed, by heat and gas flows.
Sample inlet
Generation of aerosol
& evaporation of solvent
Analyte ion
[M+H]+
to MS analyzer
Author: Mikayé
Picture source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix-
unterstützte_Laser-Desorption/Ionisation
PD Dr. J. Graßmann; PD Dr. T. Letzel
Lehrstuhl für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft
Ingenieurfakultät Bau Geo Umwelt
Technische Universität München
105
Molecular weight of analyte
ESI
104
103 APCI
EI/CI
102 APPI
101
low medium high
PD Dr. J. Graßmann; PD Dr. T. Letzel
Polarity of analyte