CONDENSED LIQUID AEROSOL PARTICLE SPRAY (CLAPS) – A NOVEL ON-LINE LIQUID AEROSOL SAMPLING AND IONIZATION TECHNIQUE

摘要

Systems and methods for ionizing analytes in a sample use an atomizer that generates aerosol particles containing the sample analytes and an emitter having inner and outer capillaries. The outer capillary is arranged about (e.g., concentrically about) the inner capillary, forms an orifice of the emitter, and receives the aerosol from the atomizer. The aerosol particles condense against the inner surface of the outer capillary and/or the outer surface of the inner capillary and form a reservoir of condensate liquid sample at the orifice of the emitter. The emitter receives, within the inner capillary, a nebulizing gas that flows towards the terminal end of the inner capillary. An electrical potential is applied between the emitter and an inlet of a sample analyzer. The nebulizing gas, the supply pressure of the aerosol to the outer capillary, and the electrical potential generate an electrospray plume of electrically charged analyte particles for analysis.