Fundamental Investigations of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

新奥尔良大学的理查德·B·科尔教授和王广迪教授得到了化学系分析和表面化学计划的支持，他们的任务是：a)表征环境反应气体对电喷雾发射器内电势分布的影响；b)获取和评估一系列完整的电流测量，以提高对电化学反应在电喷雾装置的功能和成功中所起的重要作用的了解；c)开发一种快速的电化学/电喷雾质谱学技术，以研究其他方法无法获得的电化学反应机理；以及d)发展一种新的方法对电喷雾生成的络合物进行热化学测量，并将其应用于测量锂离子加合物和分子量在300-700道尔顿范围内的脂类的卤化物加合物的键离解能。电喷雾源的低离子产率是更好地进行质谱分析的主要障碍。对于各种各样的分子物种，离子形成的机制尚不清楚。这项研究将促进我们对电喷雾发射器内的一系列电化学反应以及它们可能发生的速率的理解。对电喷雾这一固有方面的详细了解可增强分析物的电离，并改进其质谱学检测和分析。该项目包括新奥尔良大学和路易斯安那州泽维尔大学(HBCU)之间的合作伙伴关系计划，以促进两所大学的学生接触先进的质谱学概念和方法。

Professors Richard B. Cole and Guangdi Wang of the University of New Orleans are supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry to: a) characterize the effect of ambient reactive gases on potential distributions within the electrospray emitter in mass spectrometry; b) acquire and evaluate a full array of current measurements to improve the understanding of the essential role that electrochemical reactions play in the functioning and success of electrospray device; c) develop a fast electrochemistry / electrospray mass spectrometry technique to investigate electrochemical reaction mechanisms that are not accessible by other means; and d) develop a new method to make thermochemical measurements on electrospray-generated complexes, and apply it to measure bond dissociation energies of lithium ion adducts, and halide adducts of lipids having molecular weights in the range of 300-700 DaltonsThe low ion yield from electrospray sources is a major hindrance to better mass spectrometric analysis. The mechanism of ion formation for a wide variety of molecular species is not known. This research will advance our understanding of the array of electrochemical reactions within the electrospray emitter and the rates at which they may occur. Detailed understanding of this inherent aspect of electrospray enhances the ionization of analytes and improves their detection and analysis by mass spectrometry. The project includes a plan for a cooperative partnership between the University of New Orleans and Xavier University of Louisiana (an HBCU) to promote exposure of students at both institutions to advanced concepts and methodologies in mass spectrometry.