The Development of a Sheathless Interface for Capillary Electrophoresis Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Using a Cellulose Acetate Cast Capillary

Abstract

The fabrication of a novel sheathless interface for capillary electrophoresis–electrospray–mass spectrometry (CE–ESI–MS) is described. A programmable CO₂ laser was used to ablate small channels in the walls of a polyimide capillary near the terminus. Subsequent exposure of the channel region to a cellulose acetate solution followed by drying resulted in the formation of an electrically conductive semi-permeable membrane. Application of an appropriate voltage to the reservoir resulted in the simultaneous establishment of an electrical connection for CE and ESI. Interface viability was demonstrated by conducting a CE separation of a peptide mixture, with detection accomplished via positive ion mode ESI–MS. For the peptide Val-Tyr-Val, a limit of detection of 0.1 femtomole (S/N 3) was achieved using single reaction monitoring. Attributes of the interface include structural robustness, ease of fabrication, minimal interface dead volume, and the ability to alter post-separation analyte ionization status by use of appropriate buffers in the interface reservoir.