3D-Printed Cone Spray Ionization (3D-PCSI) mass spectrometry incorporates a 3D-printer to create rigid cones made of conductive plastics which acts as the sampling, extraction, and separation device. The ambient ionization source couples directly to both benchtop and field portable mass spectrometers. Samples are simply placed or scooped into the cone, and a high voltage and extraction/spray solvent is applied. At the tip of the cone, a small hole allows the extracted analytes to be sprayed/ionized, while trapping the bulk matrix behind (i.e. soil). When compared to LC-MS, 3D-PCSI-MS increases throughput of analysis by over an order of 30 per sample, decreases solvent consumption by a factor of 100 per sample, and is capable of being coupled to a field portable device so samples do not have to be transported back to the laboratory. The trade-off is the lack of chromatographic separation, and the inability to move past semi-quantitative analysis.<br/>Presented here is the application of 3D-PCSI-MS for the detection of V-series chemical warfare agents (CWA) both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. 3D-PCSI was also coupled to three commercial field portable mass spectrometers, which conducted error rate studies on a V-series simulant, and examined the time for manual positioning the ion source in front of the mass spectrometer inlet based on experience level, simulating professional mass spectrometrists to the Warfighter. Error rate studies and calculated times for positioning the cone for analysis were conducted while wearing CWA personal protective equipment to demonstrate real world application of 3D-PCSI-MS. Additional to the CWAs simulants in soils, alternative matrices such as clothing, newspaper, and  household items that may be contaminated after a release of chemical warfare agents were analyzed by 3D-PCSI-MS on a field portable mass spectrometer. An autosampler for corrected positioning will also be discussed.

3D-printed cone spray ionization portable mass spectrometry for the detection of V-series chemical warfare agents

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ACS Fall 2022

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