Coupling handheld liquid microjunction-surface sampling probe (hLMJ-SSP) to the miniature mass spectrometer for automated and in-situ surface analysis

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2022-05, Vol.242, p.123090-123090, Article 123090
• Main Authors: Liu, Siyu, Xu, Qian, Li, Yiling, Xu, Wei, Zhai, Yanbing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automated operation; Drug Residues; Handheld probe; In-situ surface analysis; Mass Spectrometry; Miniature mass spectrometer; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Specimen Handling
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123090

In-situ surface analysis has always been a significant but challenging issue in many analytical applications. To enable surface sampling and MS analysis on the field, a handheld liquid microjunction-surface sampling probe (hLMJ-SSP) was coupled to a miniature mass spectrometer in this study. The hLMJ-SSP was connected to the miniature mass spectrometer with a 50 cm long flexible tube and controlled by an integrated microcontroller unit (MCU). By simply pressing a button on the probe, automated surface analysis could be carried out and completed within ∼2 min, in which solvent delivery, sample extraction, extract aspiration, injection and MS analysis were performed in sequence. A limit of detection (LOD) as low as 5 pg was achieved. The capability of in-situ surface analysis was also demonstrated by directly analyzing illicit drug residues on fingers and medicines in biological fluids. With the merits of automated operation, high sensitivity and nondestructive analysis, this LMJ-SSP-mini MS system would be a promising tool for various in-situ analytical applications. [Display omitted] •In-situ surface analysis was enabled by coupling a hLMJ-SSP to the mini-MS with a 50 cm long flexible tube.•The hLMJ-SSP-mini MS system could be automatically controlled by an integrated microcontroller unit.•Automated in-situ surface analysis could be completed within ∼2 min with a LOD as low as 5 pg in absolute amount.•The LMJ-SSP-mini MS system would be a promising tool for various in-situ analytical applications.