Electrospray emitter for microfluidic channel

摘要

An electrospray ionization device 100 incorporates a shaped thin film 120with a microfluidic channel 115. The device may be interfaced to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TFOMS). In one embodiment, the shaped thin film 120has a polygonal-shaped or triangle-shaped thin polymer tip 130 formed by lithography and etching. The microfluidic channel 115 is approximately 20 micrometers wide and 10 micrometers deep, and embossed in a substrate 110 using a silicon master. The shaped thin film 120 is aligned with the channel 115 and bonded between the channel substrate 110 and a flat plate to create a microfluidic channel with a wicking tip protruding from the end of the channel. Application of a high voltage at one end of the channel creates an electrospray from the tip, which is provided to the TFOMS.