Carbon Nanotube Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Carbon Nanotube Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry: A Fundamental Study of a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Analysis Keaton S. Nahan, Noe Alvarez, Vesselin Shanov & Anne Vonderheide

Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry The official journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry ISSN 1044-0305 J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. DOI 10.1007/s13361-017-1774-0

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J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. (2017) DOI: 10.1007/s13361-017-1774-0

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Carbon Nanotube Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry: A Fundamental Study of a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Analysis Keaton S. Nahan,1 Noe Alvarez,2 Vesselin Shanov,2 Anne Vonderheide3 1

Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati/Agilent Technologies Metallomics Center of the Americas, University of Cincinnati, Mail Location 0172, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA 2 Nanoworld Laboratories, Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA 3 Department of Chemistry, McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Abstract. Mass spectrometry continues to tackle many complicated tasks, and ongoing research seeks to simplify its instrumentation as well as sampling. The desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) source was the first ambient ionization source to function without extensive gas requirements and chromatography. Electrospray techniques generally have low efficiency for ionization of nonpolar analytes and some researchers have resorted to methods such as direct analysis in real time (DART) or desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) for their analysis. In this work, a carbon nanotube fiber ionization (nanoCFI) source was developed and was found to be capable of solid phase microextraction (SPME) of nonpolar analytes as well as ionization and sampling similar to that of direct probe atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DP-APCI). Conductivity and adsorption were maintained by utilizing a corona pin functionalized with a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) thread. Quantitative work with the nanoCFI source with a designed corona discharge pin insert demonstrated linearity up to 0.97 (R2) of three target PAHs with phenanthrene internal standard. Keywords: Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, APCI, Corona discharge, Carbon nanotube, Carbon fiber ionization, SPME Received: 2 May 2017/Revised: 16 July 2017/Accepted: 27 July 2017

Introduction

M

ass spectrometry has been historically performed in the laboratory; however, with the advent of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), it has become a simplified as well as portable technique [1]. The DESI source has the ability to be used outside the mass spectrometer for preparationless analysis of samples at ambient conditions. Considering the mechanism of ionization by desorbed droplets, DESI has primary utility for polar molecules. Other methods such as direct

Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10. 1007/s13361-017-1774-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Correspondence to: Keaton Nahan; e-mail: [email protected]

analysis in real time (DART) and desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) [2] have been similarly used for the determination of nonpolar chemical compounds, including chemical warfare agents [3] as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH’s) [4]. Uses of mass spectrometry extend to an array of disciplines with applications ranging from trace detection of chemical warfare agents to determination of extraterrestrial gas compositions. Recent space expeditions aim at determination of organic compounds in Martian soil [5]. In particular, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been of interest since PAHs [6] were quantified from meteorites possibly originating from Mars [7]. In the past, volatile compounds were thermally desorbed, separated by gas chromatography, and ionized by electron impact ionization [8]. It is planned that the ongoing missions to Mars will employ a laser desorption ionization source with a linear ion trap for trace

Author's personal copy K. S. Nahan et. al.: Carbon Nanotube Fiber Ionization Mass Spectrometry

detection of organic compounds in order to greatly simplify the traditional analytical scheme [9]. Recent years have also shown much progress in the area of compound extraction prior to instrumental analysis, and one of the most promising techniques is solid-phase microextraction (SPME). SPME is an equilibrium process by which analytes undergo absorption or adsorption onto the surface of the fiber as a means of preconcentration as well as isolation from the sample matrix [10]. This sample preparation technique has been employed in combination with DESI for imaging metabolites [1] as well as detection of drugs analytes from SPME fibers [1]. Limits of detection in the ppt range have been reported [11]. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have shown great promise in many of these novel analytical applications. MWCNTs are large surface area molecules that are chemically inert and they are well known for their electrical conductivity. CNTs have been used as stationary coatings in SPME [12] as well as directly involved in ionization in CNT functionalized paper spray [13, 14], while carbon fibers have been used in carbon fiber ionization (CFI) [15]. CFI as well as DAPCI abide by a similar mechanism of ionization as atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) [16]. In this work, assembly of MWCNTs into fibers was investigated for the dual purpose of serving as an SPME extraction fiber and for analyte ionization. Hence, this source would be capable of single fiber SPME experiments, low gas consumption, as well as little sample preparation. PAHs were utilized as a standard to assess limits of detection and linearity. Considering that CFI occurs by corona discharge and there are known discharges utilizing carbon dioxide [17], this would be a practical extractive ionization source for a Martian atmosphere consisting primarily of carbon dioxide [17, 18]. Because many NASA experiments must be consolidated into a small space, the usage of our MWCNT nanoCFI source may be utilized in DAPCI experiments, but would also be capable of coupling with other analytical techniques. These techniques include cyclic voltammetry [19], anodic stripping voltammetry [20], biochemical sensors [21], as well as use as an extractive scaffold for DAPPI [22] or thermal desorption SPME for online GC-MS. The usage of a MWCNT fiber is ideal not only as a stand-alone technique, but as the centerpiece for a suite of analytical techniques in a small space.

includes 2000 ppm benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, fluorene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene in MeCl.

Mass Spectrometer The mass spectrometer was a Thermo MSQ equipped with a single quadrupole mass filter. The Thermo MSQ was run in both selected ion monitoring (SIM) and full scan between 100–300 m/z in positive ion mode. The psuedomolecular ion was monitored within 0.2 m/z. The cone voltage was set for 40 V and the probe heater set to 350 °C with a corona discharge current of 5 μA. The corona discharge voltage was 3.2–3.3 kV VDC for corona discharge pin insert and the corona discharge voltage was 3.0 kV VDC for the standard corona discharge pin. Data was collected over a 5 min period, where integrations were performed for 3 min. In the minute prior and the minute after the integration, the corona discharge current and probe heater were shut off. The corona discharge current and temperature were left off for the first min of the run, turned on after the first min, kept on until the fourth min, and the run was concluded after 5 min. Peak areas were taken after subtraction of blank integrations.

Nanomaterials Characterization The MWCNT fibers were assembled from a vertically aligned MWCNT array. The MWCNT arrays were produced by chemical vapor deposition [23–25] at the University of Cincinnati, Nanoworld Laboratory. The MWCNT thread was fabricated per a technique we have published elsewhere [23]. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the dimensions of the MWCNT thread (Figure 1a, b). Characterization of the nanomaterials was performed by optical microscopy as well as Raman microscopy. Raman spectra, as confirmed by the D and G bands (Supplementary Information), were consistent with the literature values [23].

Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin Prototype Functionalized corona discharge pins were produced by attaching a ~5 mm length of 170 micron thick MWCNT fiber to the corona pin with silver epoxy, as shown in the Supplementary Information. The functionalized corona pin was cured at 60 °C for 1 h to establish a connection between the pin and the MWCNT thread. Validation of connection was established by appearance of the corona discharge compared with a standard corona discharge.

Methods

Corona Discharge Pin Insert and Seat

Reagents

A corona discharge pin seat was machined from stainless steel to be consistent with a standard corona discharge pin. Carbon nanotube inserts were made by pulling MWCNT thread through a 2 mm o.d., 150 mm long borosilicate capillary. The threaded capillary was then pulled by a capillary puller and as a result the capillary was pulled to two separate pointed capillaries that encapsulated the MWCNT thread. The separate capillaries had their MWCNT thread cut between both halves of the capillary. The capillary was cut with a ceramic knife from the flat opening to a total of ~2 mm in length, and the MWCNT thread was cut from the tip of the pulled

HPLC-grade acetonitrile (ACN), formic acid, toluene, dichloromethane (MeCl), and water were purchased from Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA, USA). ACS grade benzyl alcohol was also purchased from Fisher Scientific. ACS-grade fluorene, benz(a)anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were purchased from Fisher Scientific. The State of Pennsylvania Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Extractables Mix standard was purchased from Fisher Scientific. This standard


(a)

5 µm

(b)

20 µm

(c).

Figure 1. (a–c). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of MWCNT fibers at 1000× (a) and 5000X magnification. Comparison between thermal desorption of 15 ppm phenanthrene ([M+H]+=179 m/z) in MeCl from the standard corona discharge pin (black) and modified discharge pin (red) after 10 min extraction period (Figure 1c)

capillary to a length of 5 mm. The open flat end was filled with silver paste and cured at 60 °C for 1 h to establish a connection between the seat and the MWCNT thread (Figure 2b). The stainless-steel seat was 16 mm long with a diameter of 6.4 mm. A 2-mm deep hole with 2 mm diameter was made into the top of the steel seat, whereas the bottom of the seat had a 8mm long, 3 mm diameter hole. Validation of connection was established by appearance of the corona discharge (Figure 2d) compared with a standard corona discharge (Figure 2c).

Results and Discussion Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin Prior to analysis, the functionalized corona discharge pin was compared with a standard corona pin. The fine point on the

standard corona discharge pin is shown in Figure 2a. The corona discharge was visually observed at 10 uA with both the standard discharge pin and the functionalized corona discharge pin. Visual inspection proved the ionization process was not consistent with field desorption or CNT functionalized paper spray, but rather that the ionization mechanism was consistent with the corona discharge. The experimental design was streamlined regarding extraction, apparatus, and data analysis. Samples were prepared as PAHs in methylene chloride, and immersion extractions were performed by exposing the entire length of the MWCNT for 10 min periods, after which the functionalized pin was immediately placed inside the mass spectrometer. In order to disprove a probe electrospraybased process, only nitrogen gas flow was employed for the first min to promote desolvation. Thereafter, the heater and corona discharge current were turned on to enable thermal desorption as


Figure 2. (a–d). Microscopy images of used a standard corona discharge pin (a) and corona discharge pin insert (b). The corona discharge emitted from the corona discharge pin (c) and the functionalized corona discharge pin insert (d) at 10 μA with nitrogen sheath gas flow open to the air at ambient temperature

well as ionization by corona discharge for 3 min, followed by an additional min without the heat or corona current. Figure 1c shows the results of analysis of a 15 ppm sample of phenanthrene in methylene chloride. Considering the respectively lower proton affinity of this solvent, the protonated molecular ion peaks were targeted for determination. The molecular weight of phenanthrene is 178 and so the protonated mass of 179 was monitored. The black trace was obtained using the standard corona discharge pin, and the results using the functionalized corona discharge pin are shown in red. The immersed modified corona pin showed a signal signature consistent with thermal desorption. In between analyses, the functionalized pin was immersed in methylene chloride for 1 min to ensure no carryover. Optimum instrumental parameters for analysis were investigated by analysis of a 100 ppm PAH solution under varying conditions. The PAH solution included 3 PAHs of interest: naphthalene ([M+H] + =129 m/z), fluorene ([M+H] + =167 m/z), and benz(a)anthracene ([M+H]+=229 m/z). Using a heater temperature of 350 C and a 10 μA corona current, the cone voltage was varied from 10 to 50 V in 10 V increments; optimal voltage was found to be 40 V. In a similar fashion, the corona current was varied from 5 to 50 μA, and 10 μA was found to deliver optimum signal for all three protonated molecular ion peaks with minimal in-source fragmentation. In order to assess the linearity as well as limits of detection, standards from 10 to 100 ppm of the PAH mixture were tested at the optimized parameters. Limits of detection were

calculated as 3.3 times the standard deviation divided by the slope and ranged from 8 μg mL–1 for fluorene to 155 μg mL–1 for naphthalene. Linearity of calibration curves was as follows: naphthalene (R 2 = 0.357), fluorene (R 2 = 0.980), and benz(a)anthracene (R2 = 0.985). Naphthalene had the poorest linearity, likely due to known difficulties in ionization as well as due to 2-piperazinoethylamine ([M]+=129 m/z) interference. This compound is a component of the silver paste used to attach the MWCNT fiber to the corona discharge needle.

Functionalized Corona Discharge Pin Insert Two measures were taken to remove this interference on naphthalene as well as other extraneous peaks that may have resulted from the silver paste used to attach the MWCNT to the corona discharge needle. First, the prototype was redesigned as detailed in the Experimental section (Figure 2b). Summarily, a MWCNT thread was pulled through a 2 mm o.d., 150 mm long borosilicate capillary; the open flat end of the capillary was filled with silver paste and connected to the corona discharge needle. Second, the sample solvent was changed to acetonitrile (ACN) to reduce the solubility of the silver paste. In addition, ACN is safer and a more common solvent in high performance liquid chromatographic analysis. As a means to further improve on the method, an appropriate wash method was developed to prevent cross-contamination and improve reproducibility (Supplementary Figure S3a). Extraction time was again investigated and 5 min was found to be the optimal time (Supplementary Figure S3b).


(a)

10x

42

167 128 166 229 19 18 29

(b)

(c)

Figure 3. (a–b). Average mass of 100 ppm mix solution by MWCNT corona pin insert immersion (a) and chromatogram comparison of the 100 ppm mix solution under varying conditions (b). Mass spectra was averaged over a 3 min integration time for the immersions. The apparatus used for immersions and MWCNT pin insert LC-MS experiments (c)

The manuscript was modified to include the following: In order to examine ionization mechanisms, a 100 ppm standard was analyzed using the MWCNT functionalized pin, and spectra of the three PAHs of interest are shown in Supplementary Figure S4. Naphthalene (molecular weight = 128 Da) showed primarily molecular ion. Fluorene (molecular weight = 166 Da) and benzo(a)anthracene (molecular weight = 228 Da) showed predominantly the molecular ion, whereas the MWCNT immersions (Figure 3a) showed predominantly the protonated molecular ion for benzo(a)anthracene (molecular weight = 228 Da). The immersions of the corona discharge pin insert were shown to have the ACN+, HN2+, H2O+, and H3O+ reagent ions, while these ions were not apparent with the standard corona discharge pin after background subtraction (not shown).

In order to standardize a comparison of the two as sources, LCMS analysis of the three compounds of interest was performed with both the functionalized and native corona discharge pins (Figure 3b). As can be seen, responses for the compounds of interest are comparable, proving that the MWCNT pin insert can be used as a complementary discharge pin. Furthermore, when the MWCNT pin insert immersion was compared with and without heated gas, there was no thermal desorption of the analytes (Figure 3b). This exhibits that it is a gas phase ionization and requires heated gas to aid the ionization. Figures of merit were investigated and the calibration curve was expanded to range from 0.1 to 150 μg mL–1, and regression coefficients were calculated by both external and internal standard methods (phenanthrene designated as internal


standard, 1 μg mL–1). Linearity of calibration curves was improved from previous results. When including the use of phenanthrene as internal standard, the following figures of merit were obtained: naphthalene (R2 = 0.7361), fluorene (R2 = 0.8685), and benz(a)anthracene (R2 = 0.9693). Reproducibility of the MWCNT pin inserts was shown to have at lowest 4% RSD over three replicates, but over 10 replicates would be as high as 34% for fluorene (166 m/z).

6. 7. 8. 9.

Conclusions Although this source was capable of qualitative results, quantitation by the nanoCFI source with a designed corona pin insert was capable of linearity up to 0.97 with phenanthrene internal standard. Future work aims at producing a nanoCFI source with varying MWCNT fiber dimensions, such as length and diameter, to improve linearity as well as limit of detection. Experiments will also extend to utilization of the functionalized corona discharge pin insert in a carbon dioxide environment.

10. 11.

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Acknowledgements

13.

Professor Elke Buschbek is acknowledged for her assistance with the MWCNT assembly within a borosilicate capillary using a puller.

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