Improved precision and accuracy for high-performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric exact mass measurement of small molecules from the simultaneous and controlled introduction of internal calibrants via a second electrospray nebuliser.

The use of a second electrospray nebuliser has proved to be highly successful for exact mass measurement during high-performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC/FTICRMS). Much improved accuracy and precision of mass measurement were afforded by the introduction of the internal calibration solution, thus overcoming space charge issues due to the lack of control over relative ion abundances of the species eluting from the HPLC column. Further, issues of suppression of ionisation, observed when using a T-piece method, are addressed and this simple system has significant benefits over other more elaborate approaches providing data that compares very favourably with these other approaches. The technique is robust, flexible and transferable and can be used in conjunction with HPLC, infusion or flow injection analysis (FIA) to provide constant internal calibration signals to allow routine, accurate and precise mass measurements to be recorded. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.