Atmospheric pressure

ionization(API)
Definition:
It is an ionization method used in
mass spectrometry which utilizes
gas-phase ion-molecule
reactions at atmospheric
pressure
Steps:
Solvent preparation
Nebulizer
Vaporization
Ionization
Solvent Preparation:
Sample is dissolved in appropriate solvent.
Nebulizer:
Sample in solution is converted into a
thin fog
Vaporization:
Droplets are displaced by the
gas flow through a heated
quartz tube called a
vaporization chamber.
Ionization:
corona discharge and beta
particles are both electron sources
Corona discharge ionize the gas.
ions may be positive or negative.
Primary ions are converted into
secondary ions
API Sources:
Electrospray ionization(ESI)
Atmospheric pressure chemical
ionization(APCI)
Atmospheric pressure
photoionization(APPI)
Advantages:
Very efficient
They are used to ionize
samples such as peptides, proteins
and polymers
Reduces the thermal
decomposition