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Abstract

A Thermal-Assisted Electrospray Interface (TAESI) used in series between a liquid chromatograph and a mass analyzer gives increased sensitivity for detection of components in a liquid stream at high flow rates up to 2 milliliters per minute. Liquid exiting the liquid chromatograph is sprayed through a stainless steel capillary tube while being heated externally and under an applied voltage of about 3 KV. The combination of thermal energy and electric field potential disperses the liquid into a fine mist which is then directed at atmospheric pressure into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer. Such a system, optionally may additionally contain a high velocity gas flow neubulization means. The TAESI interface may be used without the electric field; however at flow rates of from 500 to 1000 .mu.L/min the use of both electric field and thermal energy increases the sensitivity by two orders of magnitude over the interface used without the electric field.

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First Claim