基礎から学ぶマススペクトロメトリー/質量分析の源流第8回　エレクトロスプレーの基礎

摘要

Electrospray is an ultimate phenomenon that occurs when the liquid is exposed to the high electric field. In order to fully exploit electrospray for the analytical science and technology, it is mandatory to understand the mechanisms for the formation of charged droplets and the following formation of gas phase ions. This article will explain the basic aspects of electrospray from various points of view. The contents are as follows: (i) electrospray ionization (ESI) is based on electrochemical reactions, (ii) what is the Taylor cone? (iii) disintegration of charged liquid droplets, (iv) mechanism for the formation of gas-phase ions from the charged liquid droplets, (v) effect of surface tension of liquid on electrospray, (vi) positive- and negative-mode of ESI, (vii) suppression effect by the presence of salts, (viii) down-sizing of electrospray, ESI→nanoESI→Probe ESI, (ix) field desorption, (x) field ionization, (xi) formation of multiple-charge ions, (xii) application of electrospray.