High-sensitivity thermospray ionization mass spectrometry of dyes

A series of dyes belonging to different chemical classes have been analyzed by thermospray (TSP) ionization mass spectrometry using a modified source containing a wire-repeller. Detection limits were determined and found to be in the range 0.05–20 ng, which are lower by a factor of 10–400 than previously published results. Positive-ion TSP mass spectra of some sulfonated dyes could be recorded for the first time owing to the increased sensitivity. Losses of SO3Na and 2SO3Na as well as losses of Na and 2Na were observed. The losses of each one of these groups involved replacement by a hydrogen atom.