Eur. J. Mass Spectrom. 8, 79-84 (2002)

Polymer track membranes for extraction of ions from aqueous solutions at atmospheric pressure

Alexander. A. Balakin, Alexander F. Dodonov, Mikhail I. Markin, Lyudmila I. Novikova, Ilia V. Soulimenkov and Victor L. Talroze
Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences,
142432 Chemogolovka, Moscow region
Russia E-mail: balakin.al.al@gmail.com

Bogdan A. Budnik, Kim F. Haselmann and Roman A. Zubarev
University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark

Eur. J. Mass Spectrom. 8, 79-84 (2002)
Received 3 December 2001; revised 13 February 2002; accepted 19 February 2002

   The possibility of the application of the electromeinbrane technique for production of ions of biological molecules at atmospheric pressure is demonstrated. This technique has previously only been used for extraction of ions from liquids directly into vacuum. The membrane technique for ion extraction at atmospheric pressure was tested with both time-of-flight and Fourier transform ion cyclo­tron resonance mass spectrometers. The mass spectra of intact molecular ions obtained from aqueous solutions ofpeptides and pro­teins are presented. The possible mechanisms of non-destructive ion extraction are discussed. The new technique is promising for achieving absolute sensitivity (charging every analyte molecule) and for performing spatially-resolved analysis of liquid biological samples.

© IM Publications 2002, ISSN 1356-1049