Scanning and surface alignment considerations in chemical imaging with desorption electrospray mass spectrometry

Vilmos Kertesz, Gary J. Van Berkel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of surface scanning mode (raster vs unidirectional scanning) and the constancy of spray tip-to-surface and atmospheric sampling interface capillary-to-surface distances on chemical image quality using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were investigated. Unidirectional scanning was found to provide a spatially and a quantitatively more precise chemical image of the surface as compared to raster scanning. Maintaining constant spray tip-to-surface and atmospheric sampling interface capillary-to-surface distances during an imaging experiment was found to also be critical. An automation process was implemented using a custom image analysis software (HandsFree Surface Analysis) to keep these distances constant during the surface sampling experiment. Improved chemical image quality afforded through this software control was illustrated by imaging printed objects on normal copy paper.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1027-1032
Number of pages6
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume80
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2008

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