Im. Lazar et al., DESIGN OF A TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS-SPECTROMETER AS A DETECTOR FOR CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS, Analytical chemistry, 69(16), 1997, pp. 3205-3211
High efficiency separation methods such as capillary electrophoresis (
CE) interfaced with structural information-producing detection systems
such as mass spectrometry (MS) represent invaluable tools in analytic
al chemi istry. Most CE applications to date have been reported using
UV absorption detection. To extend the analytical power of CE, new det
ectors which demonstrate increased speed, sensitivity, and specificity
must be developed. In this paper, we describe the design of an electr
ospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer and its performance
as a detector for CE, Emphasis is placed on fulfillment of the speed
and sensitivity requirements, Low attomole and low femtomole detection
limits are demonstrated for continuous infusion and CE-MS operation,
respectively.