This work was funded by the QuickStarter Program supported by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. DOE. This work was performed using the IONTOF ToF-SIMS V, located in the Biological Sciences Facility (BSF) at PNNL. JY and X-Y Yu also acknowledged the support from the Atmospheric Sciences &#38; Global Change (ASGC) Division and Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate (PCSD) at PNNL

<ol>
	<li>Szklarska-Smialowska, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pitting+corrosion+of+aluminum.">Pitting corrosion of aluminum.</a> Corrosion Science. 41, 1743-1767 (1999).</li><li>Liu, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+first+quantitative+XPS+study+of+the+surface+films+formed,+by+exposure+to+water+on+Mg+and+on+the+Mg-Al+intermetallics:+Al3Mg2+and+Mg17Al12.">A first quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed, by exposure to water on Mg and on the Mg-Al intermetallics: Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12.</a> Corrosion Science. 51 (5), 1115-1127 (2009).</li><li>Linford, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+introduction+to+time-of-flight+secondary+ion+mass+spectrometry+(ToF-SIMS).">An introduction to time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).</a> Vacuum Technology &amp; Coating. , (2014).</li><li>Cushman, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+pictorial+view+of+LEIS+and+ToF-SIMS+instrumentation.">A pictorial view of LEIS and ToF-SIMS instrumentation.</a> Vacuum Technology &amp; Coating. , 27-35 (2016).</li><li>Soler, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hydrogen+generation+by+aluminum+corrosion+in+seawater+promoted+by+suspensions+of+aluminum+hydroxide.">Hydrogen generation by aluminum corrosion in seawater promoted by suspensions of aluminum hydroxide.</a> International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 34 (20), 8511-8518 (2009).</li><li>Ahmad, Z., Abdul Aleem, B. 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M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Static+SIMS+studies+of+the+oxides+and+hydroxides+of+aluminium.">Static SIMS studies of the oxides and hydroxides of aluminium.</a> Journal of Mass Spectrometry. 42 (1), 11-19 (2007).</li><li>Esmaily, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+ToF-SIMS+investigation+of+the+corrosion+behavior+of+Mg+alloy+AM50+in+atmospheric+environments.">A ToF-SIMS investigation of the corrosion behavior of Mg alloy AM50 in atmospheric environments.</a> Applied Surface Science. 360, 98-106 (2016).</li><li>Hunt, C. P., Stoddart, C. T. H., Seah, M. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+surface+analysis+of+insulators+by+SIMS:+Charge+neutralization+and+stabilization+of+the+surface+potential.">The surface analysis of insulators by SIMS: Charge neutralization and stabilization of the surface potential.</a> Surface and Interface Analysis. 3 (4), 157-160 (1981).</li><li>Stingeder, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+distribution+analysis+of+B,+As+and+Sb+in+the+layer+system+SiO2/Si+with+SIMS:+elimination+of+matrix+and+charging+effects.">Quantitative distribution analysis of B, As and Sb in the layer system SiO2/Si with SIMS: elimination of matrix and charging effects.</a> Fresenius' Zeitschrift f&#252;r analytische Chemie. 327 (2), 225-232 (1987).</li><li>Cushman, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sample+Charging+in+ToF-SIMS:+How+it+Affects+the+Data+that+are+Collected+and+How+to+Reduce+it.">Sample Charging in ToF-SIMS: How it Affects the Data that are Collected and How to Reduce it.</a> Vacuum Technology &amp; Coating. , (2018).</li><li>Dubey, M., Brison, J., Grainger, D. W., Castner, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+Bi(1),+Bi(3)+and+C(60)+primary+ion+sources+for+ToF-SIMS+imaging+of+patterned+protein+samples.">Comparison of Bi(1), Bi(3) and C(60) primary ion sources for ToF-SIMS imaging of patterned protein samples.</a> Surface and Interface Analysis: SIA. 43 (1-2), 261-264 (2011).</li><li>Kozole, J., Winograd, N., Smentkowski, V. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cluster+Secondary+Ion+Mass+Spectrometry.">Cluster Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry.</a> Surface Analysis and Techniques in Biology. , 71-98 (2014).</li><li>Tyler, B. J., Rayal, G., Castner, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multivariate+analysis+strategies+for+processing+ToF-SIMS+images+of+biomaterials.">Multivariate analysis strategies for processing ToF-SIMS images of biomaterials.</a> Biomaterials. 28 (15), 2412-2423 (2007).</li><li>Song, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Corrosion+behaviour+of+extruded+AM30+magnesium+alloy+under+salt-spray+and+immersion+environments.">Corrosion behaviour of extruded AM30 magnesium alloy under salt-spray and immersion environments.</a> Corrosion Science. 78, 353-368 (2014).</li><li>Esmaily, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=On+the+capability+of+in-situ+exposure+in+an+environmental+scanning+electron+microscope+for+investigating+the+atmospheric+corrosion+of+magnesium.">On the capability of in-situ exposure in an environmental scanning electron microscope for investigating the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium.</a> Ultramicroscopy. 153, 45-54 (2015).</li><li>Liao, J., Hotta, M., Motoda, S. -. i., Shinohara, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Atmospheric+corrosion+of+two+field-exposed+AZ31B+magnesium+alloys+with+different+grain+size.">Atmospheric corrosion of two field-exposed AZ31B magnesium alloys with different grain size.</a> Corrosion Science. 71, 53-61 (2013).</li><li>deVries, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surface+characterization+methods-+XPS,TOF-SIMS,+and+SAM+a+complimentary+ensemble+of+tools.">Surface characterization methods- XPS,TOF-SIMS, and SAM a complimentary ensemble of tools.</a> Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. 7 (3), 303-311 (1998).</li><li>Zhang, H., Cooper, S. L., Guan, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surface+characterization+techniques+for+polyurethane+biomaterials.">Surface characterization techniques for polyurethane biomaterials.</a> Advances in Polyurethane Biomaterials. , 23-73 (2016).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

ToF-SIMS differentiates the ions according to their time of flight between two scintillators. The topography or sample roughness affects the flight time of the ions from different starting positions, which usually leads to a poor mass resolution with an increased width of peaks. Therefore, it is critical that the ROIs being analyzed are very flat, to ensure good signal collection8.
Another pitfall to avoid is charging. Since the Al-paint interface was fixed with the ins...

Al alloys have wide applications in engineering structures, such as in marine technology or military automotive, attributable to their high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent formability, and resistance to corrosion. However, localized corrosion of Al alloys is still a common phenomenon which affects their long-term reliability, durability, and integrity in various environmental conditions1. Paint coating is the most common means to prevent corrosion. Illustration of the corrosion developed at the interface between metal and paint coating can provide insights in determining the appropriate remedy for corrosion prevention.
The corrosion of Al alloys may take place via several different pathways. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) are two commonly applied surface microanalysis techniques in investigating corrosion. XPS can provide elemental mapping but not a holist molecular view of the surface chemical information2,3, while SEM/EDX provides morphological information and elemental mapping but with relatively low sensitivity.
ToF-SIMS is another surface tool for chemical mapping with high mass accuracy and lateral resolution. It has a low limit of detection (LOD) and is capable of revealing the distribution of the corrosion species formed at the metal-paint interface. Typically, SIMS mass resolution can reach 5,000-15,000, sufficient to differentiate the isobaric ions4. With its submicron spatial resolution, ToF-SIMS can chemically image and characterize the metal-paint interface. It provides not only morphological information but also the lateral distribution of molecular corrosion species at the top few nanometers of the surface. ToF-SIMS offers complementary information to XPS and SEM/EDX.
To demonstrate the capability of ToF-SIMS in surface characterization and imaging of the corrosion interface, two painted Al alloy (7075) coupons, one exposed to air only and one to a salt solution, are analyzed (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Understanding the corrosion behavior at the metal-paint interface exposed to the saline condition is critical to understand the performance of the Al alloy in a marine environment, for example. It is known that the formation of Al(OH)3 occurs during Al&#8217;s exposure to seawater5, but the study of Al corrosion still lacks comprehensive molecular identification of the corrosion and coating interface. In this study, the fragments of Al(OH)3, including Al oxides (e.g., Al3O5-) and oxyhydroxide species (e.g., Al3O6H2-), are observed and identified. The comparisons of SIMS mass spectra (Figure 3) and molecular images (Figure 4) of the negative ions Al3O5- and Al3O6H2- provide the molecular evidence of the corrosion products formed at the metal-paint interface of the salt solution-treated Al alloy coupon. SIMS offers the possibility to elucidate the complicated chemistry occurring at the metal-paint interface, which can help shed light on the efficacy of surface treatments in Al alloys. In this detailed protocol, we demonstrate this effective approach in probing the metal-paint interface to help new practitioners in corrosion research using ToF-SIMS.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:737px;" width="737">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">0.05 &#181;m Colloidal Silica polishing Solution</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">LECO</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">812-121-300</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Final polishing solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">1 &#181;m polishing solution</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Pace Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">PC-1001-GLB</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Water based polishing solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">15 &#181;m polishing solution</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Pace Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">PC-1015-GLBR</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Water based polishing solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">3 &#181;m polishing solution</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Pace Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">PC-1003-GLG</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Water based polishing solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">6 &#181;m polishing solution</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Pace Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">PC-1006-GLY</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Water based polishing solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">Balance</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Mettler Toledo</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">11106015</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used for measuring the chemicals.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Epothin 2 epoxy hardener</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Buehler</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">20-3442-064</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used for casting sample mounts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Epothin 2 epoxy resin</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Buehler</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">20-3440-128</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used for casting sample mounts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="56">
			<td height="56" style="height:56px;width:205px;">Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) conductivity sensor</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Amersham&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AKTA FPLC</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used to measure the conductivity of the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">Final B pad</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Allied</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">90-150-235</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used for 1 &#181;m and 0.05 &#181;m&#160; polishing steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">KCl&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">P9333</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used to make the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">Low speed saw</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Buehler Isomet</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">11-1280-160</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used to cut the Al coupons that are fixed in the epoxy resin.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="23">
			<td height="23" style="height:23px;width:205px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">63042</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used to make the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="23">
			<td height="23" style="height:23px;width:205px;">MgSO4</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">M7506</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used to make the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">S7653</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used to make the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">NaOH</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">306576</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used for adjusting pH of the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="81">
			<td height="81" style="height:81px;width:205px;">Paint</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Rust-Oleum&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">245217</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Universal General Purpose Gloss Black Hammered Spray Paint. It is used to spray on the Al coupons.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">Pan-W polishing pad</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">LECO</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">809-505</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Used for 15, 6, and 3 &#181;m polishing steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">pH meter</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">13-636-AP72</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used for measuring the pH of the salt solution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Pipette&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Thermo Fisher&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Range: 10 to 1,000 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Pipette tip 1</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Neptune&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">2112.96.BS&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">1,000 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Pipette tip 2</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Rainin</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">17001865</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">20 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Silicon carbide paper</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">LECO</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">810-251-PRM</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Grinding paper, 240 grit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Sputter coater</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Cressington</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">108 sputter coater</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used for coating the sample.&#160;&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:205px;">Tegramin-30 Semi-automatic polisher</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Struers</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">6036127</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Coarse/fine polishing/grinding</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="54">
			<td height="54" style="height:54px;width:205px;">ToF-SIMS</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">IONTOF GmbH, M&#252;nster, Germany</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">ToF-SIMS V, equipped with Bi liquid metal ion gun and flood gun</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">It is used to acquire mass spectra and images of a specimen.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:205px;">Vibromet 2 vibratory polisher</td>
			<td style="width:152px;">Buehler</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">67-1635-160</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Final polishing step</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

imaging corrosion at the metal-paint interface using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Corrosion developed at the paint and aluminum (Al) metal-paint interface of an aluminum alloy is analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), illustrating that SIMS is a suitable technique to study the chemical distribution at a metal-paint interface. The painted Al alloy coupons are immersed in a salt solution or exposed to air only. SIMS provides chemical mapping and 2D molecular imaging of the interface, allowing direct visualization of the morphology of the corrosion products formed at the metal-paint interface and mapping of the chemical after corrosion occurs. The experimental procedure of this method is presented to provide technical details to facilitate similar research and highlight pitfalls that may be encountered during such experiments.

Figure 3 presents the comparison of mass spectra between the metal-paint interface treated with salt solution and the interface exposed to air. The mass spectra of the two samples were acquired using a 25 kV Bi3+ ion beam scanning in 300 &#181;m x 300 &#181;m ROIs. The mass resolution (m/&#8710;m) of the salt solution-treated sample was approximately 5,600 at the peak of m/z- 26. The raw data of the mass spectra were exported after binning 10 channels. A grap...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Imaging Corrosion at the Metal-Paint Interface Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry at JoVE.com

Imaging Corrosion at the Metal-Paint Interface Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is applied to demonstrate the chemical mapping and corrosion morphology at the metal-paint interface of an aluminum alloy after being exposed to a salt solution compared with a specimen exposed to air.

Corrosion developed at the paint and aluminum (Al) metal-paint interface of an aluminum alloy is analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass ...

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8.2K Views.  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is applied to demonstrate the chemical mapping and corrosion morphology at the metal-paint interface of an aluminum alloy after being exposed to a salt solution compared with a specimen exposed to air.

Video: Imaging Corrosion at the Metal-Paint Interface Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Analyzing Protein Dynamics Using Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry

All cellular processes depend on the functionality of proteins. Although the functionality of a given protein is the direct consequence of its unique amino acid sequence, it is only realized by the folding of the polypeptide chain into a single defined three-dimensional arrangement or more commonly into an ensemble of interconverting conformations. Investigating the connection between protein conformation and its function is therefore essential for a complete understanding of how proteins are able to fulfill their great variety of tasks. One possibility to study conformational changes a protein undergoes while progressing through its functional cycle is hydrogen-1H/2H-exchange in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HX-MS). HX-MS is a versatile and robust method that adds a new dimension to structural information obtained by e.g. crystallography. It is used to study protein folding and unfolding, binding of small molecule ligands, protein-protein interactions, conformational changes linked to enzyme catalysis, and allostery. In addition, HX-MS is often used when the amount of protein is very limited or crystallization of the protein is not feasible. Here we provide a general protocol for studying protein dynamics with HX-MS and describe as an example how to reveal the interaction interface of two proteins in a complex. &#160;&#160;

Protein conformation and dynamics are key to understanding the relationship between protein structure and function. Hydrogen exchange coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry is a versatile method to study the conformational dynamics of proteins as well as characterizing protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions, including contact interfaces and allosteric effects.

All cellular processes depend on the functionality of proteins. Although the functionality of a given protein is the direct consequence of its unique ...

A Study of the Complexation of Mercury(II) with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In this study we evaluated a method for the characterization of complexes, formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptide, by electrospray ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry. This strategy is based on previous successful characterization of mercury-dicysteinyl complexes involving tripeptides by utilizing mass spectrometry among other techniques. Mercury(II) chloride and a dicysteinyl tetrapeptide were incubated in a degassed buffered medium at varying stoichiometric ratios. The complexes formed were subsequently analyzed on an electrospray mass spectrometer consisting of a hybrid linear ion- and orbi- trap mass analyzer. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) spectra were acquired in the positive mode and the observed peaks were then analyzed for distinct mercury isotopic distribution patterns and associated monoisotopic peak. This work demonstrates that an accurate stoichiometry of mercury and peptide in the complexes formed under specified electrospray ionization conditions can be determined by using high resolution ESI MS based on distinct mercury isotopic distribution patterns.

A Study of the Complexation of MercuryII with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The characterization of complexes formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptides by electrospray ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry is presented.

In this study we evaluated a method for the characterization of complexes, formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptide, ...

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

We demonstrate that direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry can be used to produce mass spectral profiles of botanical material, and that these chemical fingerprints can be used for plant species identification. The mass spectral data can be acquired rapidly and in a high throughput manner without the need for sample extraction, derivatization or pH adjustment steps. The use of this technique bypasses challenges presented by more conventional techniques including lengthy chromatography analysis times and resource intensive methods. The high throughput capabilities of the direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry protocol, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis processing of the data, provide not only class characterization of plants, but also yield species and varietal information. Here, the technique is demonstrated with two psychoactive plant products, Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) and Datura (Jimsonweed), which were subjected to direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry followed by statistical analysis processing of the mass spectral data. The application of these tools in tandem enabled the plant materials to be rapidly identified at the level of variety and species.

A method for species identification of botanical material by direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis is presented.

We demonstrate that direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry can be used to produce mass spectral profiles of botanical material, ...

Analyzing the Photo-oxidation of 2-propanol at Indoor Air Level Concentrations Using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry

We demonstrate a versatile protocol to be used for determining the effectiveness of photocatalysts in degrading indoor air concentration (ppb) volatile organic carbons (VOCs), illustrating this with a titanium dioxide based catalyst, and the VOC 2-propanol. The protocol takes advantage of field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy (FAIMS), an analysis tool that is capable of continuously identifying and monitoring the concentration of VOCs such as 2-propanol and acetone at the ppb level. The continuous nature of FAIMS allows detailed kinetic analysis, and long-term reactions, offering a significant advantage over gas chromatography, a batch process traditionally used in air purification characterization. The use of FAIMS in photocatalytic air purification has only recently been used for the first time, and with the protocol illustrated here, the flexibility in allowing alternative VOCs and photocatalysts to be tested using comparable protocols offers a unique system to elucidate photocatalytic air purification reactions at low concentrations.

A protocol for determining the effectiveness of photocatalysts in degrading indoor air concentration (ppb) model volatile organic carbons such as 2-propanol is described.

We demonstrate a versatile protocol to be used for determining the effectiveness of photocatalysts in degrading indoor air concentration (ppb) volatile ...

Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have aroused considerable interest, since they can serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and environmental exposure in a non-invasive manner. In this work, we present a protocol to characterize the exhaled VOCs in real time by using secondary nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (Sec-nanoESI-HRMS). The homemade Sec-nanoESI source was readily set up based on a commercial nanoESI source. Hundreds of peaks were observed in the background-subtracted mass spectra of exhaled breath, and the mass accuracy values are -4.0-13.5 ppm and -20.3-1.3 ppm in the positive and negative ion detection modes, respectively. The peaks were assigned with accurate elemental composition according to the accurate mass and isotopic pattern. Less than 30 s is used for one exhalation measurement, and it takes approximately 7 min for six replicated measurements.

A protocol for characterizing chemical composition of exhaled breath in real time by using secondary nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry is demonstrated.

Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have aroused considerable interest, since they can serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and environmental ...

Synthesis and Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Oligo-peptoids

Peptoids are sequence-controlled peptide-mimicking oligomers consisting of N-alkylated glycine units. Among many potential applications, peptoids have been thought of as a type of molecular information storage. Mass spectrometry analysis has been considered the method of choice for sequencing peptoids. Peptoids can be synthesized via solid phase chemistry using a repeating two-step reaction cycle. Here we present a method to manually synthesize oligo-peptoids and to analyze the sequence of the peptoids using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) techniques. The sample peptoid is a nonamer consisting of alternating N-(2-methyloxyethyl)glycine (Nme) and N-(2-phenylethyl)glycine (Npe), as well as an N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (Nae) at the N-terminus. The sequence formula of the peptoid is Ac-Nae-(Npe-Nme)4-NH2, where Ac is the acetyl group. The synthesis takes place in a commercially available solid-phase reaction vessel. The rink amide resin is used as the solid support to yield the peptoid with an amide group at the C-terminus. The resulting peptoid product is subjected to sequence analysis using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to an electrospray ionization source. The MS/MS measurement produces a spectrum of fragment ions resulting from the dissociation of charged peptoid. The fragment ions are sorted out based on the values of their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The m/z values of the fragment ions are compared against the nominal masses of theoretically predicted fragment ions, according to the scheme of peptoid fragmentation. The analysis generates a fragmentation pattern of the charged peptoid. The fragmentation pattern is correlated to the monomer sequence of the neutral peptoid. In this regard, MS analysis reads out the sequence information of the peptoids.

A protocol is described for the manual synthesis of oligo-peptoids followed by sequence analysis by mass spectrometry.

Peptoids are sequence-controlled peptide-mimicking oligomers consisting of N-alkylated glycine units. Among many potential applications, peptoids have ...

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group analysis as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This tutorial demonstrates methods for optimization of the sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis of synthetic polymers using MALDI-TOF MS. Critical parameters during sample preparation include the selection of the matrix, identification of an appropriate cationization salt, and tuning the relative proportions of the matrix, cation, and analyte. The acquisition parameters, such as mode (linear or reflector), polarization (positive or negative), acceleration voltage, and delay time, are also important. Given some knowledge of the chemistry involved to synthesize the polymer and optimizing both the data acquisition parameters and the sample preparation conditions, spectra should be obtained with sufficient resolution and mass accuracy to enable the unambiguous determination of the end groups of most homopolymers (masses below 10,000) in addition to the repeat unit mass and the overall molecular weight distribution. Though demonstrated on a limited set of polymers, these general techniques are applicable to a much wider range of synthetic polymers for determining mass distributions, though end group determination is only possible for homopolymers with narrow dispersity.

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

A protocol for the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) characterization of synthetic polymers is described including the optimization of sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis.

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group ...

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Electrospray ionization (ESI) can transfer an aqueous-phase peptide or peptide complex to the gas-phase while conserving its mass, overall charge, metal-binding interactions, and conformational shape. Coupling ESI with ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) provides an instrumental technique that allows for simultaneous measurement of a peptide&#8217;s mass-to-charge (m/z) and collision cross section (CCS) that relate to its stoichiometry, protonation state, and conformational shape. The overall charge of a peptide complex is controlled by the protonation of 1) the peptide&#8217;s acidic and basic sites and 2) the oxidation state of the metal ion(s). Therefore, the overall charge state of a complex is a function of the pH of the solution that affects the peptides metal ion binding affinity. For ESI-IM-MS analyses, peptide and metal ions solutions are prepared from aqueous-only solutions, with the pH adjusted with dilute aqueous acetic acid or ammonium hydroxide. This allows for pH dependence and metal ion selectivity to be determined for a specific peptide. Furthermore, the m/z and CCS of a peptide complex can be used with B3LYP/LanL2DZ molecular modeling to discern binding sites of the metal ion coordination and tertiary structure of the complex. The results show how ESI-IM-MS can characterize the selective chelating performance of a set of alternative methanobactin peptides and compare them to the copper-binding peptide methanobactin.

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry and molecular modeling techniques can characterize the selective metal chelating performance of designed metal-binding peptides and the copper-binding peptide methanobactin. Developing new classes of metal chelating peptides will help lead to therapeutics for diseases associated with metal ion misbalance.

Electrospray ionization (ESI) can transfer an aqueous-phase peptide or peptide complex to the gas-phase while conserving its mass, overall charge, ...

3D Depth Profile Reconstruction of Segregated Impurities Using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

The presented protocol combines excellent detection limits (1 ppm to 1 ppb) using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) with reasonable spatial resolution (~1 &#181;m). Furthermore, it describes how to obtain realistic three-dimensional (3D) distributions of segregated impurities/dopants in solid state materials. Direct 3D depth profile reconstruction is often difficult to achieve due to SIMS-related measurement artifacts. Presented here is a method to identify and solve this challenge. Three major issues are discussed, including the i) nonuniformity of the detector being compensated by flat-field correction; ii) vacuum background contribution (parasitic oxygen counts from residual gases present in the analysis chamber) being estimated and subtracted; and iii)&#160;performance of all steps within a stable timespan of the primary ion source. Wet chemical etching is used to reveal the position and types of dislocation in a material, then the SIMS result is superimposed on images obtained via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thus, the position of agglomerated impurities can be related to the position of certain defects. The method is fast and does not require sophisticated sample preparation stage; however, it requires a high-quality, stable ion source, and the entire measurement must be performed quickly to avoid deterioration of the primary beam parameters.

The presented method describes how to identify and solve measurement artifacts related to secondary ion mass spectrometry as well as obtain realistic 3D distributions of impurities/dopants in solid state materials.

The presented protocol combines excellent detection limits (1 ppm to 1 ppb) using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) with reasonable spatial ...

Thermochemical Studies of Ni(II) and Zn(II) Ternary Complexes Using Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry

This article describes an experimental protocol using electrospray-ion mobility-mass spectrometry (ES-IM-MS) and energy-resolved threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) to measure the thermochemistry of the dissociation of negatively-charged [amb+M(II)+NTA]- ternary complexes into two product channels: [amb+M(II)] + NTA or [NTA+M(II)]-&#160;+ amb, where M = Zn or Ni and NTA is nitrilotriacetic acid. The complexes contain one of the alternative metal binding (amb) heptapeptides with the primary structures acetyl-His1-Cys2-Gly3-Pro4-Tyr5-His6-Cys7 or acetyl-Asp1-Cys2-Gly3-Pro4-Tyr5-His6-Cys7, where the amino acids&#39; Aa1,2,6,7 positions are the potential metal-binding sites. Geometry-optimized stationary states of the ternary complexes and their products were selected from quantum chemistry calculations (presently the PM6 semi-empirical Hamiltonian) by comparing their electronic energies and their collision cross-sections (CCS) to those measured by ES-IM-MS. From the PM6 frequency calculations, the molecular parameters of the ternary complex and its products model the energy-dependent intensities of the two product channels using a competitive TCID method to determine the threshold energies of the reactions that relate to the 0 K enthalpies of dissociation (&#916;H0). Statistical mechanics thermal and entropy corrections using the PM6 rotational and vibrational frequencies provide the 298 K enthalpies of dissociation (&#916;H298). These methods describe an EI-IM-MS routine that can determine thermochemistry and equilibrium constants for a range of ternary metal ion complexes.

Thermochemical Studies of NiII and ZnII Ternary Complexes Using Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry

This article describes an experimental protocol using electrospray-ion mobility-mass spectrometry, semi-empirical quantum calculations, and energy-resolved threshold collision-induced dissociation to measure the relative thermochemistry of the dissociation of related ternary metal complexes.