Supercritical Fluid Mass Spectrometry With Vacuum Proton Transfer Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometers using supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography face issues with high column efficiency loss due to the need for organic solvents, limiting analysis to polar substances and failing to detect non-polar compounds like oils and fats, while PTR ionization systems are limited to volatile organic compounds, lacking capability for polymeric substances.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer with a supercritical fluid introduction section, ionization section using proton transfer, and mass measurement section, allowing for vacuum-based ionization of compounds extracted in supercritical fluids, enabling detection of a wide variety of substances including non-polar compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an organic solvent is introduced as a modifier in conventional SFE/SFC-mass spectrometers, then deposition of solute in decompression process is avoided, but column efficiency is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the organic solvent modifier from the system by implementing direct vacuum introduction of the supercritical fluid extract. The mass spectrometer ionizes the analytes directly from the supercritical fluid without requiring organic solvents, thereby removing the source of column deposition problems while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing the supercritical fluid extract directly into vacuum conditions and using proton transfer reaction ionization instead of electrospray ionization. This parameter change allows direct analysis of the supercritical fluid extract without organic solvent modification, preserving column efficiency while preventing solute deposition.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional mass spectrometer with PTR ionization is used, then volatile organic compounds can be sensitively measured, but polymeric compounds and low-volatility substances cannot be analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the PTR ionization mass spectrometer universal by enabling it to analyze both volatile organic compounds and non-volatile polymeric compounds. The key is introducing the sample in supercritical fluid state which allows direct vaporization and ionization in the PTR source, extending the instrument's functionality beyond its traditional volatile compound analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by introducing the supercritical fluid extract into the vacuum system where it undergoes phase change from supercritical state to vapor state, then to ionized state in the PTR source. This phase transition mechanism enables both volatile and non-volatile compounds to be effectively ionized and detected, expanding the instrument's analytical range.
3Reliability
If organic solvents are added to avoid solute deposition, then solute deposition is prevented, but comprehensiveness of analysis is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes organic solvents from the analytical system entirely. By implementing direct vacuum introduction of supercritical fluid extracts and using proton transfer reaction ionization, the system prevents solute deposition without requiring organic solvent modifiers, thereby maintaining comprehensive analytical capability across diverse compound types.
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
Enables high-sensitivity mass spectrometry of diverse compounds, including non-polar substances, without chromatographic separation, and allows real-time analysis of elution conditions, improving detection sensitivity and reducing solvent interference.
Implementation Method 1
a supercritical fluid introduction section which is provided for introducing and releasing, to vacuum, a supercritical fluid in which a subject compound for mass spectrometry is extracted
Implementation Method 2
an ionization section which ionizes the subject compound which is extracted in the supercritical fluid, the ionization being carried out in the vacuum by a molecular reaction involving the proton transfer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique to carry out mass spectrometry of a wide variety of subject compounds to be analyzed, each of which is extracted in a supercritical fluid. A mass spectrometer (1) includes: a supercritical fluid introduction section (3) for introducing and releasing, to vacuum, a supercritical fluid in which a subject compound for mass spectrometry is contained (extracted); an ionization section (4) that ionizes the subject compound which is extracted in the supercritical fluid, the ionization being carried out in the vacuum by a molecular reaction involving proton transfer; and a mass measurement section (5) that measures a mass of the subject compound which has been ionized.