AER/I Chemistry Seminar

About the event

Title: Recent Paper Spray Ionization Applications Using Functionalized Paper Substrates

Speaker: Nate Morgan

Group: Brian Clowers

Abstract: Mass Spectrometry is widely used for the identification and quantification of analytes due to its ability to discriminate ions by their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). One common ionization source for mass spectrometry is electrospray ionization (ESI), which uses high voltage applied to a liquid-filled capillary to produce a spray of charged species. ESI-MS is commonly coupled with HPLC to analyze mixtures, but this technique suffers from reliance on large volumes and inherent contamination sources. This process can be improved by the adoption of Paper Spray Ionization (PSI). PSI replaces the capillary with a paper substrate to achieve ionization. By applying sample to the paper and eluting the analytes with solvents, PSI allows for low volume analysis of complex mixtures without extensive sample preparation. Functionalization of the paper substrate through chemical or physical means alters the flow of samples through the paper, changing the composition of the matrix as it is sprayed into the mass spectrometer. Pairing the functionalized substrate to specific analyses increases sensitivity and signal to noise ratio. This talk will cover three applications of modified paper substrates used for paper spray mass spectrometry: multi-walled carbon nanotube modified paper for the analysis of persistent organic pollutants in field samples, PAMAM dendrimer-modified paper for the analysis of protein in biofluids, and organosilane-modified paper for the analysis of toxins.