Mass Spectrometry & Purification Techniques
Open Access

Best Articles On Mass Spectrometry Applications

Mass spectrometry is an analytical tool useful for measuring the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of one or more molecules present in a sample.  These measurements can often be used to calculate the exact molecular weight of the sample components as well. Typically, mass spectrometers can be used to identify unknown compounds via molecular weight determination, to quantify known compounds, and to determine structure and chemical properties of molecules. Molecules are converted to gas-phase ions so that they can be moved about and manipulated by external electric and magnetic fields. In our laboratory we use a technique called nanoelectrospray ionization, which is somewhat similar to how cars are industrially painted. This method allows for creating positively or negatively charged ions, depending on the experimental requirements.  Nanoelectrospray ionization can directly couple the outlet of a small-scale chromatography column directly to the inlet of a mass spectrometer.  The flow from the column is passed through a needle that is 10-15 um at its tip.