Tandem mobility mass spectrometry study of electrosprayed tetraheptyl ammonium bromide clusters

Mobility-Classified Mass Spectrometry Reveals a Complete Picture of the Electrospray Outcome

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry supported by mobility classification (ESI-DMA-MS) is a strong technique for a comprehensive analysis of organic and inorganic clusters and small nanoparticles. In-depth understanding and optimization of the electrospray process are key for unlocking new fields of application and for extension of the accessible range of data. We show that the combination of mobility-classified mass spectrometry (DMA-MS) with an electrospray operated in a well-defined cone-jet mode is capable of providing a full picture of the outcome of the electrospray process including the evaporation residues of the parent droplets. Based on ESI-DMA-MS measurements of lysozyme, we find that clusters up to almost 1 MDa (around 60 lysozyme molecules per cluster) formed as evaporation residues of the parent droplets can be detected. The escape probability of lysozyme molecules from the parent droplets is polarity-dependent. A quantitative analysis of clusters is possible at analyte concentrations where the likeliness of finding more than a single molecule in the generated droplet is low. At higher concentrations, one can, however, quantify the analyte concentration from the detected size of the droplet evaporation residues. The approach is widely applicable for organic and inorganic nanostructures. The results allow clear statements on the conditions under which mixtures of larger molecules, clusters, and nanoparticles are accessible to quantitative analysis by mass spectrometry.

Measuring the Kinetics of Neutral Pair Evaporation from Cluster Ions of Ionic Liquid in the Drift Region of a Differential Mobility Analyzer

Singly charged clusters [C⁺A^-]_nC⁺ or [C⁺A^-]_nA^- of two salts [C⁺A^-] are produced by electrospray ionization of alcohol solutions of the ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (EMI-FAP) and 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium-methide (DMPI-Me). The rate of neutral pair evaporation into [C⁺A^-] + [C⁺A^-]_n-1C⁺ or [C⁺A^-]_n-1A^- is studied in atmospheric pressure as a function of temperature T for the positive trimer ion (n = 2) of DMPI-Me and the negative trimer ion of EMI-FAP. The trimer is separated from all other electrosprayed ions in a first differential mobility analyzer (DMA₁) and then transferred through a cooled tube to a second DMA whose drift gas is kept at a controlled temperature (25 °C < T < 100 °C). Singular characteristics of the DMA are a residence time τ of ∼0.1 to 1 ms, with essentially uniform temperature and τ. The decomposition occurring within DMA₂ results in a complex mobility spectrum associated with dimer product ions, with apparent mobilities intermediate between those of the dimer and the trimer, depending on the product of the reaction rate k and τ. A theoretical expression yielding k from the shape of the collected mobility spectrum is obtained by accounting for the deterministic reactive, convective, and diffusive evolutions of the parent and product ions within DMA₂. Observed and predicted mobility spectra agree well, yielding the reaction rate k with little ambiguity. Activation energies near 1 eV are determined for both trimer ions. Paradoxically, the evaporation process substantially heats up the cluster ion product. The theory developed enables measuring decay times much smaller and much larger than the residence time in the DMA.

Novel techniques for detection and characterization of nanomaterials based on aerosol science supporting environmental applications

The number of people exposed to nanoparticles is growing accordingly to the production and development of new nanomaterials. Moreover, this increase is expected to continue in the future. However, there is a lack of standardized sampling and metric methods to measure the level of exposure to nanoparticles, and the information related to possible adverse health effects is scarce. Aerosol technology has been detecting and characterizing nanoparticles for decades and some of their developments can be of use in nanotechnology characterization. We present here two current developments based on used principles in aerosol science, which can widen its application to the characterization of nanomaterials. On the one hand, a sample preparation technique for nanoparticle analysis by electron microscopy based on electrospray atomization technology. Several samples prepared in this way have been analysed and compared to more traditional sample preparation strategies like the "drop on grid" method. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and the number of single particles increases substantially. On the other hand, it is presented an electrical mobility classification system, DMA, with enormous possibilities for the quick and economic size characterization of suspensions of nanoparticles, thanks to its injection system by electrospray and to its high resolution in the lower range of the nanoscale. The first assessment of the abovementioned devices highlights its potential applications in exposure assessment and nanotechnological contexts.

CJ. Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry examination of the structures, stabilities, and extents of hydration of dimethylamine–sulfuric acid clusters

Uptake of water molecules by dimethylamine–sulfuric acid cluster ions mitigates dissociation in atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer inlets.

Measuring the effect of ion-induced drift-gas polarization on the electrical mobilities of multiply-charged ionic liquid nanodrops in air

The electrical mobilities of multiply-charged nanodrops of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl, 3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMI-N[CN]2) were accurately measured in air at 20 °C for mass-selected clusters of composition [EMI-N[CN]2] n [EMI(+)] z , with 2 ≤ n ≤ 369 and 1 ≤ z ≤ 10. We confirm prior reports that the mobility Z of a globular ion of mass m is given approximately by the modified Stokes-Millikan law for spheres, Z  =  Z SM,mod (d m   +  d g , z, m), where d m   =  (6m/πρ)(1/3) is the nanodrop mass-diameter based on the density ρ of the liquid (corrected for the capillary compression and electrostatic deformation of the nanodrop), and d g is an effective air molecule diameter. There is however a measurable (up to 7%) and systematic z-dependent departure of Z from Z SM,mod . As theoretically expected at small ε (*) , this effect is accurately described by a simple correction factor of the form Z/Z SM,mod   =  δ(1  -  βε (*)), where kTε (*) is the potential energy due to the ion-induced dipole (polarization) attraction between a perfectly-conducting charged nanodrop and a polarized neutral gas-molecule at a distance (d m   +  d g )/2 from its center. An excellent fit of this model to hundreds of data points is found for d g ≈ 0.26 nm, β ≈ 0.36, and δ ≈ 0.954. Accounting for the effect of polarization decreases d g considerably with respect to values inferred from earlier nanodrop measurements that ignored this effect. In addition, and in spite of ambiguities in the mobility calibration scale, the measured constant δ smaller than unity increases Millikan's drag enhancement factor from the accepted value ξ m ≈ 1.36 to the new value ξ ≈ ξ m /δ ≈ 1.42  ± 0.03.

Continuous flow ion mobility separation with mass spectrometric detection using a nano-radial differential mobility analyzer at low flow rates

We describe a hybrid mass-mobility instrument in which a continuous-flow ion mobility classifier is used as a front-end separation device for mass spectrometric analysis of ions generated with an electrospray ionization source. Using nitrogen as a carrier gas, the resolving power of the nano-radial differential mobility analyzer (nRDMA) for nanometer-sized ions is 5-7 for tetraalkylammonium ions. Data are presented demonstrating the ability of the system to resolve the different aggregation and charge states of tetraalkylammonium ions and protonated peptides using a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometer to analyze the mobility-classified ions. Specifically, data are presented for the two charge states of the decapeptide Gramicidin S. A key feature of the new instrument is the ability to continuously transmit ions with specific mobilities to the mass spectrometer for manipulation and analysis.

Manifestations of charge induced instability in droplets effected by charged macromolecules

Ion-release processes from droplets that contain excess charge are of central importance in determining the charge-state distributions of macromolecules in electrospray ionization methods. We develop an analytical theory to describe the mechanism of contiguous extrusion of a charged macromolecule from a droplet. We find that the universal parameter determining the system behavior is the ratio of solvation energy per unit length to the square of the ion charge density per unit length. Systems with the same value of the ratio will follow the same path in the course of droplet evaporation. The analytical model is compared with molecular simulations of charged polyethylene glycol macroion in aqueous droplets, and the results are in excellent agreement.

Transversal Modulation Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TM-IMS), a new mobility filter overcoming turbulence related limitations

The analysis of ions according to their mobility is a technique that is attracting increasing interest. The new technology presented here, which we have termed Transversal Modulation Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TM-IMS), utilizes only electric fields, operates at atmospheric pressure, produces a continuous output of mobility selected ions (according to their true mobility and not to nonlinear effects), and has a very accessible inlet and outlet. These features would make it an ideal choice for tandem IMS-MS analysis in combination with most commercial Atmospheric Pressure Interface MS (API-MS) systems. We modeled and evaluated two different TM-IMS configurations (TM-IMS, and multistage TM-IMS), and we concluded that the most promising configuration would be a two-stage TM-IMS. We developed and tested a TM-IMS, and the measured resolving power is R = 55. The TM-IMS behaves similarly to the planar Differential Mobility Analyzer, but the TM-IMS utilizes only electric fields, and no fragile flow with high Reynolds numbers is required. We tested the robustness of the TM-IMS, which proves to be a very robust and reliable analyzer: the required voltage accuracy is 5 V in 10 kV, and the mechanical precision is 1 mm in 5 cm.

Combined charged residue-field emission model of macromolecular electrospray ionization

The mechanism of the multiple charging of macromolecules in electrospray ionization (ESI) continues to inspire debate and controversy. Recently, we proposed that the number of charges on a macromolecule is determined by the emission of small charge carriers from macromolecule-containing nanodroplets and that, after solvent evaporation, the remaining charge is transferred to the macromolecule. In this study, we tested the applicability of this new theory for macromolecular, positive-ion ESI mass spectrometry by measuring the mean charge states and charge distributions of globular proteins under non-denaturing and denaturing conditions. Predictions of protein mean charge states for native state proteins are in excellent agreement with mass spectrometric measurements, giving strong credence to the proposed theory. Theoretical predictions are also in good agreement with mean charge states measured for proteins in basic solutions (pH = 11.5). For some proteins in acidic solutions (pH = 2.1), the measured mean charge states are anomalously higher than the Rayleigh limit of a water droplet with a volume equivalent to that of the protein. We propose that some macromolecules that are highly charged in solution may desorb from charged droplets of the same polarity in a similar manner to that whereby charge carriers emit from nanodroplets, leading to "supercharged" macromolecular ions. Examination of rate expressions for solvent evaporation and charge-carrier emission demonstrates that the newly proposed model for ESI is consistent with previously reported ion-emission kinetics. Overall, we obtained additional experimental evidence for the charge carrier emission model for macromolecular charging, suggesting opportunities for understanding and applying ESI-MS.

The potential of differential mobility analysis coupled to MS for the study of very large singly and multiply charged proteins and protein complexes in the gas phase

As previously demonstrated by the technique of gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analyzer (GEMMA) introduced by Kaufman and colleagues, differential mobility analysis (DMA) of charge-reduced electrospray ions in the gas phase is a useful complement to MS for studying large proteins and their weakly bound complexes. Several limitations of GEMMA, the solutions for which have the potential to greatly improve its performance, are discussed here, including DMA resolution and transmission. A quantitative theory of charge reduction kinetics for dried multiply charged globular proteins at atmospheric pressures is also presented, showing that the charge reduction time must be carefully chosen to maximize a singly charged ion signal, while avoiding survival of contaminating multiply charged species. Because charge reduction limits the range of masses analyzable by MS, we also consider the potential of a parallel-plate DMA coupled in series to an MS for DMA-MS studies without charge reduction.

Orthogonal extraction ion mobility spectrometry

Ion Mobility Spectrometry is a powerful tool for the study of molecular conformations, separation of mass isomers, and analysis of complex mixtures and suppression of chemical background. The factors that limit the capabilities of the technique include its relatively low resolving power and duty cycle. New principle of gas-phase ion separation, based on ion focusing under the influence of electrostatic field and stationary in time gas flow, is proposed. Both analytical calculations and a numerical simulation show that a diffusion-limited resolution of several hundred can be achieved. The new type of ion mobility analyzer is called orthogonal extraction IMS. The proposed ortho-IMS can be interfaced with commercial mass spectrometers and offers the theoretical resolution of several hundred and ion transmission close to 100%.

Charge Reduced Electrospray Size Spectrometry of Mega- and Gigadalton Complexes: Whole Viruses and Virus Fragments

The ability to analyze and identify large macromolecular complexes whose molecular weight is beyond the analyzable range of mass spectrometry is of great interest. The size of such complexes makes them suitable for analysis via mobility size spectrometry. In this work, charge reduced electrospray size spectrometry was used for the analysis of bacteriophage viruses with total molecular masses ranging from 3.6 MDa up to the gigadalton range. The electrospray source used was operated in "cone jet" mode with a mean droplet diameter of 170.56 nm. Bacteriophage MS2 was found to have a mobility diameter of 24.13 +/- 0.06 nm and remain highly viable after the electrospray process. Larger bacteriophages T2 and T4 have lengths greater than the diameter of the electrospray jet and droplets; thus, they could not be completely enclosed and were found to fragment at the virus capsid head-tail noncovalent interface during either the jet formation or jet breakup process. No viable T2 or T4 virions were detectable after being electrosprayed. While the exact mechanism of fragmentation could not be determined, it is proposed here that macromolecular fragmentation at noncovalent interfaces occurs due to mechanically and electrically induced stresses during jet formation and jet breakup. Bacteriophage T4 capsid heads were found to be statistically significantly larger than bacteriophage T2 capsid heads, with a mean peak diameter of 88.32 +/- 1.02 nm for T4 and 87.03 +/- 0.18 nm for T2. While capsid head fragments were detectable, tail and tail-fiber fragments could not be detected by size spectrometric analysis. This is attributed to the fact that the contractile tails of bacteriophage T2 and T4 virions mechanically deform to a varying degree while confined within the smaller jet and droplets. Further evidence of contractile tail deformation during the electrospray process was found by measuring the size spectrum of bacteriophage lambda, which has a noncontractile tail. Bacteriophage lambda had two distinct peaks in its size spectrum, one corresponding to the capsid head and the other corresponding to the tail fragment. Size spectrometry was also used for rapid quantification of virus concentrations, thus demonstrating its full capabilities in the analysis of large macromolecular complexes.

Aerosol size standards in the nanometer size range

A technique for generating charged aerosols of polystyrene (pSty) with narrow size distributions has been developed. It is based on electrospraying commercial narrow mass standards of pSty dissolved in l-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) seeded with the newly synthesized salt dimethyl ammonium formate. This salt imparts a much larger electrical conductivity than previously known NMP electrolytes, leading to higher quality sprays with greatly reduced attachment of impurities. Controlling the solute concentration enables forming polystyrene particles containing from one up to more than ten single polystyrene molecules, whereby 4 mass standards with molecular weights from 9200 up to 96,000 g/mol yield particles covering densely the diameter range from 3 to 11 nm. Combined mobility and mass measurement with a differential mobility analyzer and a mass spectrometer in tandem are carried out with a pSty sample 9200 amu in molecular weight. They fix directly the mass versus mobility relation near 9200 amu, and indirectly for the other standards and their clusters. The apparent particle density resulting from mobility versus mass data agrees with the bulk density of the polymer, indicating that the particles are dense and spherical. Although these standards have been studied only in gaseous suspension, their injection in liquids such as water where pSty is insoluble should keep them spherical.