Toward continuous LC-MS analysis: surface modification of magnetic microparticles with TiO2 for phosphate adsorption.

Continuous liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was successfully demonstrated by using magnetic TiO2/Fe3O4 microparticles at the desalination interface. The particles could be prepared easily even on a practical scale at sufficient quality for efficient phosphate adsorption. Not only phosphate but several biomolecules were adsorbed onto the particles in a non-specific manner. Such samples could still be detected effectively in MS because the removal of phosphate derived from the LC eluent enhanced sample ionization and resulted in a significant reduction of phosphate cluster ions.