Electrospray ionisation - a simple prelude to the understanding of other mass spectrometry techniques

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used in the characterisation of a wide range of chemical and biochemical substances. The technique is extensively used in research, across a wide range of disciplines. One of the main strengths of mass spectrometry is that miniscule amounts of sample are typically needed, in the order of micrograms or less. While the study of spectroscopic techniques has been a part of qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma for some time, ¹ a new Achievement Standard on Spectroscopy has been introduced relatively recently into the New Zealand Chemistry Curriculum, which includes the technique of electron ionisation (El) mass spectrometry.² This article aims to provide, for those perhaps encountering mass spectrometry for the very first time, a short discussion on electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry as an alternative introduction to this important analytical technique.