Molecular Ionization from Carbon Nanotube Paper1. (18th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Narayanan, Rahul; Sarkar, Depanjan; Cooks, R. Graham; Pradeep, Thalappil
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 126:Number 23(2014)
• Page Start: 6046
• Page End: 6050
• Publication Date: 2014-03-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201311053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Ambient ionization is achieved by spraying from a carbon nanotube (CNT)‐impregnated paper surface under the influence of small voltages (≥3 V). Organic molecules give simple high‐quality mass spectra without fragmentation in the positive or negative ion modes. Conventional field ionization is ruled out, and it appears that field emission of microdroplets occurs. Microscopic examination of the CNT paper confirms that the nanoscale features at the paper surface are responsible for the high electric fields. Raman spectra imply substantial current flows in the nanotubes. The performance of this analytical method was demonstrated for a range of volatile and nonvolatile compounds and a variety of matrices.</p> </abstract>