ESI current oscillations for a high-resistivity fluid with the simultaneous visualization of the Taylor cone

Low-frequency oscillations occurring in the electrospray of liquids with low electric conductivity were studied. Based on spectral measurements of oscillations in the range of voltages typically used in mass spectrometry, it was shown that the spectrum reveals the control frequency, which accounts for [approximately equal to] 80% of power oscillations, and a set of overtones. The magnitude of the main frequency varies in the range 200-800 Hz and increases with increasing voltage up to breakdown. Immediately after the collapse of oscillations, the most stable spraying mode is realized. A model describing the mechanism of oscillations due to the role of space charge accumulated on the counter electrode was proposed. Keywords: electrospray, oscillation spectrum, Fourier transform, Taylor cone, space charge DOI: 10.1134/S1061934816130050
INTRODUCTION The effect of the electrospray of liquids is known for more than one hundred years [1] and has found application in different areas of mechanic engineering and instrument making. [...]