Sonic-spraying techniques

Solutions of solids may need to be converted into aerosols by pneumatic or sonic-spraying techniques. After solvent has evaporated from the aerosol droplets, the residual particulate solid matter can be ionized by a plasma torch. 

A detailed description of sources used in atmospheric pressure ionization by electrospray or chemical ionization has been compiled.2 Atmospheric pressure has been used in a wide array of applications with electron impact, chemical ionization, pressure spray ionization (ionization when the electrode is below the threshold for corona discharge), electrospray ionization, and sonic spray ionization.3 Interferences potentially include overlap of ions of about the same mass-charge ratio, mobile-phase components, formation of adducts such as alkali metal ions, and suppression of ionization by substances more easily ionized than the analyte.4 A number of applications of mass spectroscopy are given in subsequent chapters. However, this section will serve as a brief synopsis, focusing on key techniques. 

The real breakthrough in LC/MS development was achieved with the broad introduction in the 1990s of atmospheric pressure ionization (API) techniques, such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), which enable the analysis of a wide variety of molecular species. The spectrum of available API techniques has been amended meanwhile by the introduction of sonic spray ionization (SSI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). 

Several ionization methods have been applied for CE-MS couphng. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), continuous flow fast atom bombardment (FAB), laser vaporization ionization with UV laser, sonic spray ionization and electrospray ionization (ESI) have all been used for coupling CE to MS. However, ESI is now undoubtedly the most widely used ionization technique, employing numerous analyzers including quadrupoles, magnetic sector, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance, time-offlight and trapping devices. However, quad-rupole detectors have predominantly been applied in CE-MS [6-8]. 

Chapter 6, titled Selection of Ionization Methods of Analytes in the TLC-MS Techniques provides an overview of mass spectrometric techniques that can be coupled with TLC and act as specific detectors in this hyphenated approach. The mass spectrometric techniques discussed in this chapter are secondary mass spectrometry (SIMS), liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS), fast atom bombardment (FAB), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI), electrospray ionization (ESI), desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), electrospry-assisted laser desorption/ionization (ELDI), easy ambient sonic spray ionization (EASI), direct analysis in real time (DART), laser-induced acoustic desorption/electrospray ionization (LIAD/ESI), plasma-assisted multiwavelength laser desorption/ionization (PAMLDI), atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). For the sake of illustration, the authors introduce practical examples of implementing TLC separations with detection carried out by means of individual mass spectrometric techniques for the systematically arranged compounds belonging to different chemical classes. 

Ambient MS is another advance in the field. It allows the analysis of samples with little or no sample preparation. Following the introduction of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) [108,109], direct analysis in real time (DART) [110], and desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) [111, 112], a number of ambient ionization methods have been introduced. They include electrospray-assisted laser desorption/ionization (ELDI) [113], matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (MALDESI) [114], atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) [115], jet desorption ionization (JeDI) [116], desorption sonic spray ionization (DeSSI) [117], field-induced droplet ionization (FIDI) [118], desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI) [119], plasma-assisted desorption ionization (PADI) [120], dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) [121], and the liquid microjunction surface sampling probe method (LMJ-SSP) [122], etc. All these techniques have shown that ambient MS can be used as a rapid tool to provide efficient desorption and ionization and hence to allow mass spectrometric characterization of target compounds. 

For ambient mass spectrometric approaches, techniques such as electrospray-assisted pyrolysis ionization (ESA-Py) (Hsu et al., 2005), desorption electrospray ionization (DESl) (Takats et al., 2004), easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (EASl) (Haddad et al., 2008), and atmospheric pressure laser-induced acoustic desorption chemical ionization (AP/LIAD-CI) (Nyadong et al., 2011) have been used for the direct analysis of crude oil with minimal sample pretreatment. Such approaches prevent unexpected effects on the composition of crude oil samples during preparation. Another attractive feature of performing analyses imder ambient conditions is the capacity for rapid sampling, thereby enabhng opportunities for high-throughpnit analysis. 

Several modifications of the ESI principle were described, such as the desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), the desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI), the electrospray-assisted pyrolysis ionization (ESPI), the ambient sonic spray ionization (SPI), " the electrosonic spray ionization (ESSI), but also combined MALDI/ESI techniques, such as the matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (MALDESI). ... 

Membrane fuel cells have zero-gap electrodes on both sides of the membrane. Typically the electrodes are made of a carbon fiber mat impregnated with platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst. To achieve an extended surface for the gas to be adsorbed and react and to maintain continuity for ionic transport, interpenetration of electrode and membrane is necessary. This is usually accomplished by impregnating the porous electrode with. Nafion solution. One assembly technique is to suspend the Pt/C in Nafion solution by sonication and spray it onto carbon paper. Then the membrane is hot pressed between the two impregnated electrodes [44]. Another approach is to make an aqueous suspension of three powders - Pt/C, carbon black, and PTFE - and spray it onto the carbon paper. Then 5% Nafion solution is applied by spraying or by floating the electrode on the Nafion solution, after which the membrane is pressed between the electrodes [45]. The Nafion solution serves as an adhesive as well as a means of extending the electrolyte into the structure of the porous electrode. 

When dealing with foam generation techniques, it is important to break the foam efficiently after the separation has been effected. Several foam breaking techniques exist. These are fairly descriptive and include thermal, sonic, chemical, liquid spray, orifice, whirling paddle, and high-speed spinning disks. The last technique is very effective at relatively low energy demands. ... 

After an initial molecular evaluation, a variety of crystal growth strategies are available, but not limited to evaporation and cooling (at varying rates and temperatures), " milling (liquid-assisted or neat), sonication, melting, and reaction crystallization. More non-traditionaf techniques include spray drying, twin-screw extrusion, and supercritical fluids which have all been demonstrated to be scalable processes. 

Various types of equipment and techniques have been employed to suppress foam formation in biological and process equipment. These include both chemical and mechanical methods. Chemical methods include various defoaming chemicals (silicone oils, non-ionic surfactants, etc.) Mechanical methods employ sprays, wire mesh elements, heat, live steam injection, air or steam-operated ejectors, sonic horns, vacuums, centrifuges, and the use of large re-... 

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