Thermospray interface for LC-MS

Thermospray is a soft ionisation technique that relies on the production of a spray by direct heating of a metal capillary carrying the LC eluent. The presence of an electrolyte dissolved in the mobile phase causes this spray to consist of droplets carrying a statistical excess charge. Desolvation of these droplets results in the expulsion of ions, which are then extracted into the mass analyser. Thermospray is applicable to many polar materials but can give poor sensitivity for nonpolar species. Other 

Without plasma discharge Alcohol ethoxylates Alkylphenol ethoxylates Amphoterics at low pH Cationics (as the amine) 

With plasma discharge Fatty acids Fatty alcohols Glycerides 

Ammonium salts of some anionics Imidazolinium quaternary ammonium salts 

---

The thermospray interface for LC-MS is generally considered as a difficult interface. This is due to the fact that for a proper operation the careful... 

---