Date of Award
May 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
Committee Member
Richard K Marcus
Committee Member
Carlos D Garcia
Committee Member
George Chumanov
Abstract
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool that can be used to identify and quantify diverse classes of analytes, including atomic, small molecular, and large biological species. The limitation in this powerful technique, however, lies in the fact that these various analytes require vastly different instrumental configurations. Elemental analysis, for example, requires instrumentation capable of hard ionization, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). These instruments also require very high-resolution mass analyzers so isobaric elemental isotopes can be clearly resolved and quantified, typically employing sector field and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) analyzers. Conversely, large biomolecules require soft ionization methods that preserve the analytes’ native state, such as electrospray (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI). The most common mass analyzers used for biological mass spectrometry are ion-traps, quadrupoles, and time-of-flight (TOF) analyzers. In this work, a novel liquid-sampling atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) ionization source is coupled to a high-resolution Orbitrap mass analyzer for the analysis of diverse analytical species. The potential powering modes and geometries of the LS-APGD were evaluated for the analysis of a multi-element solution as well as for the analysis of uranium isotope ratios for nuclear nonproliferation applications. The LS-APGD was then evaluated for the analysis of a seleno-mercury complex.
Recommended Citation
Perkins, Ashley Anna, "Evaluation and Optimization of a Liquid-Sampling Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Ionization Source for Diverse Applications in Mass Spectrometry" (2020). All Theses. 3320.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/3320