Coated Capillary Ionizer for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometers face issues with capillary deformation and corrosion due to high voltage, high-temperature gases, and corrosive mobile phases, leading to unstable analysis operations and frequent maintenance needs, especially when using supercritical fluids like carbon dioxide.
Innovation Solution
A capillary ionizer with a tubular shape coated with materials like SUS, fused silica, chromium nitride, platinum, titanium, diamond-like carbon, or fluororesin to protect the capillary from physical and chemical damage, improving its strength and corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capillary is used to inject sample solution in the ionization section, then the sample solution can be effectively ionized, but the capillary is deformed or corroded due to high voltage, high-temperature gas, or corrosive mobile phase
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary is constructed as a composite structure with an inner tube made of corrosion-resistant material (such as fluororesin or PTFE) and an outer tube made of mechanically strong material (such as SUS or fused silica). This composite structure combines the advantages of both materials: the inner tube resists corrosion from mobile phases and chemical agents, while the outer tube provides mechanical strength and rigidity. The capillary thus maintains both chemical inertness and structural integrity under operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the capillary are made from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The inner tube material is selected for maximum chemical resistance to mobile phases and cleaning agents, while the outer tube material is selected for maximum mechanical strength. This local differentiation of material properties allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
2Strength
If a metal capillary is used, then the capillary has high strength, but it corrodes when carbon dioxide or other corrosive mobile phases are used
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary combines a metal or glass outer tube providing mechanical strength with a non-metallic inner tube (fluororesin, PTFE, or other corrosion-resistant polymer) that provides chemical inertness. The inner tube is in direct contact with the mobile phase and sample solution, protecting the outer tube from corrosion while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube acts as an intermediary barrier between the corrosive mobile phase and the metal outer tube. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between the corrosive substances and the metal, eliminating corrosion while allowing the metal to provide its mechanical strength benefits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-metallic capillary is used, then the capillary has good corrosion resistance, but it deforms under high voltage or high-temperature gas
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary structure combines a non-metallic inner tube for chemical resistance with a metallic or glass outer tube for mechanical strength. The outer tube prevents deformation under high voltage and high-temperature conditions while the inner tube maintains corrosion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary employs spatial differentiation of material properties: the inner surface is optimized for chemical inertness and sample contact, while the outer surface is optimized for mechanical strength and environmental resistance. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between chemical and mechanical requirements.
4Reliability
If the capillary is frequently exchanged due to deformation, then the analysis operation can be maintained, but labor and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite capillary structure with corrosion-resistant inner tube and strong outer tube simultaneously addresses both chemical degradation and mechanical failure modes, dramatically extending capillary service life and eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary design anticipates and prevents both corrosion and deformation through its composite structure, providing built-in protection against the two main failure modes before they can occur, thereby ensuring long-term operational stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The coating material significantly reduces capillary deformation and corrosion, enhancing the stability and reliability of mass spectrometer analysis operations, even when using supercritical fluids as mobile phases.
Implementation Method 1
At least a part of the tip portion of the capillary is coated with a coating material
Implementation Method 2
separates the generated ions according to the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z)
Implementation Method 3
ionize the sample solution
Implementation Method 4
when a supercritical fluid is used as the mobile phase, adiabatic expansion occurs at the time of spraying
Data Source
AI summary
In the mass spectrometer system, a tip portion of a cylindrical portion (891) of a capillary (89) is coated with a coating material (892), the tip portion being an injection part for injecting a sample solution to an ionization section. Therefore, it is possible to suppress, by the coating material (892), the deformation of the capillary (89) when the sample solution is injected. In addition, it is possible to suppress the corrosion and the deformation of the capillary (89) by the coating material (892). As a result, the stability of the analysis operation in mass spectrometer system (1) can be improved.