Katri Huikko

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) electrospray devices fabricated with diamond-like carbon–poly(dimethylsiloxane) coated SU-8 masters

This study presents coupling of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) micro-chip with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Stable electrospray is generated directly from a PDMS micro-channel without pressure assistance. Hydrophobic PDMS aids the formation of a small Taylor cone in the ESI process and facilitates straightforward and low-cost batch production of the ESI-MS chips. PDMS chips were replicated with masters fabricated from SU-8 negative photoresist. A novel coating, an amorphous diamond-like carbon-poly(dimethylsiloxane) hybrid, deposited on the masters by the filtered pulsed plasma arc discharge technique, improved significantly the lifetime of the masters in PDMS replications. PDMS chip fabrication conditions were observed to affect the amount of background peaks in the MS spectra. With an optimized fabrication process (PDMS curing agent/silicone elastomer base ratio of 1/8 (w/w), curing at 70 degree C for 48 h) low background spectra were recorded for the analytes. The performance of PDMS devices was examined in the ESI-MS analysis of some pharmaceutical compounds and amino acids.

Analysis of bisphosphonates by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS) was applied to the direct identification and quantitation of clodronate and its four common impurities. The coaxial interface technique and negative ion mode were used in the detection. Ion source parameters and sheath liquid composition were optimized to produce maximum abundance of singly charged deprotonated molecules used in monitoring. In addition, the effects of electrolyte composition and instrumental parameters of CE on separation were studied. The developed method provides high separation power and specificity to bisphosphonate analysis. In quantitative analysis, the method showed good linearity (r=0.9946-0.9989), satisfactory repeatability (migration time variation: RSD=0.43-1.0%, peak area variation: RSD=2.2-9.4%) and sufficient sensitivity (detection limits: 0.08-0.22 mg ml(-1)) for identification of bisphosphonates from bulk material.

Preparation of porous n-type silicon sample plates for desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (DIOS-MS)

This study focuses on porous silicon (pSi) fabrication methods and properties for desorption ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (DIOS-MS). PSi was prepared using electrochemical etching of n-type silicon in HF-ethanol solution. Porous areas were defined by a double-sided illumination arrangement: front-side porous areas were masked by a stencil mask, eliminating the need for standard photolithography, and backside illumination was used for the backside ohmic contact. Backside illumination improved the uniformity of the porosified areas. Porosification conditions, surface derivatizations and storage conditions were explored to optimize pSi area, pore size and pore depth. Chemical derivatization of the pSi surfaces improved the DIOS-MS performance providing better ionization efficiency and signal stability with lower laser energy. Droplet spreading and drying patterns on pSi were also examined. Pore sizes of 50-200 nm were found to be optimal for droplet evaporation and pore filling with the sample liquid, as measured by DIOS efficiency. With DIOS, significantly better detection sensitivity was obtained (e.g. 150 fmol for midazolam) than with desorption ionization from a standard MALDI steel plate without matrix addition (30 pmol for midazolam). Also the noise that disturbs the detection of low-molecular weight compounds at m/z < 500 with MALDI could be clearly reduced with DIOS. Low background MS spectra and good detection sensitivity at the 100-150 fmol level for pharmaceutical compounds were achieved with DIOS-MS.

Development and validation of a capillary zone electrophoretic method for the determination of bisphosphonate and phosphonate impurities in clodronate

Capillary zone electrophoresis with direct UV detection at low wavelength and reversed polarity was applied for the separation and quantitation of bisphosphonate and phosphonate impurities in clodronate bulk material. Polyacrylamide-coated capillaries were used to reduce the interactions between the analytes and the electric double layer of the capillary, and to minimize electroosmotic flow. Study was made of the major factors affecting the separation, i.e., pH and ionic strength of the electrolyte solution and various instrumental parameters. The developed method provided reproducible separations of clodronate and related impurities (between-day precision of migration times: RSD < 2.3%, 275 runs). Acceptable validation results in the impurity quantitation range of 0.5-7.5 microg ml(-1) (corresponding to 0.1-1.5% of clodronate working concentration) were obtained in specificity, within-day and between-day precision, accuracy and linearity.

Modified Porous Silicon Surfaces as DIOS-MS Sample Plates

This study presents a novel porous silicon (pSi) fabrication method for the matrix-free desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (DIOS-MS). The fabrication conditions and surface treatments of pSi on DIOS-MS performance are explored. Utilization of pSi sample plates in the analysis of low molecular weight pharmaceutical compounds is shown.

PDMS electrospray devices fabricated by PDMS-diamond-coated SU-8 masters

This study presents a new design for chip-based electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), in which ESI is generated by direct spraying from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-channel electrokinetically without pressure assistance. PDMS devices were fabricated using SU-8-masters, which were coated with amorphous PDMS-diamond hybrid to increase their life-time. The presented technique allows rapid and low-cost batch-production of the ESI-MS chips.