Microdroplet Impact-Induced Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MISI MS) for Online Reaction Monitoring and Bacteria Discrimination

Microdroplet impact-induced spray ionization (MISI) is demonstrated involving the impact of microdroplets produced from a paper and their impact on another, leading to the ionization of analytes deposited on the latter. This cascaded process is more advantageous in comparison to standard spray ionization as it performs reactions and ionization simultaneously in the absence of high voltage directly applied on the sample. In MISI, we apply direct current (DC) potential only to the terminal paper, used as the primary ion source. Charge transfer due to microdroplet/ion deposition on the flowing analyte solution on the second surface generates secondary charged microdroplets from it carrying the analytes, which ionize and get detected by a mass spectrometer. In this way, up to three cascaded spray sources could be assembled in series. We show the detection of small molecules and proteins in such ionization events. MISI provides a method to understand chemical reactions by droplet impact. The C-C bond formation reactions catalyzed by palladium and alkali metal ion encapsulation using crown ether were studied as our model reactions. To demonstrate the application of our ion source in a bioanalytical context, we studied the noninvasive in situ discrimination of bacteria samples under ambient conditions. [Graphics]

Automated summary

MISI is a method that involves the impact of microdroplets produced from a paper and their impact on another, leading to the ionization of analytes. This method performs reactions and ionization simultaneously without the need for high voltage directly applied on the sample, and it can be used for detecting small molecules and proteins. Multiple cascaded spray sources can be assembled in series, providing a way to understand chemical reactions by droplet impact and demonstrating noninvasive discrimination of bacteria samples under ambient conditions.