Microelectrospray method and apparatus

摘要

A method of generating an electrospray from a solution is disclosed which is useful for electrospraying at low flow rates, for electrospraying directly into a vacuum, or both. The method comprises the steps of causing the solution to flow through a capillary tube to an outlet opening formed in the terminal portion thereof. The capillary tube terminal portion has an inner diameter of not more than 50 micrometers and an outer diameter of not more than 150 micrometers. An electrical potential difference is provided between the capillary tube terminal portion and a conductor spaced from said terminal portion, with the potential sufficient to cause the solution to electrospray from the capillary outlet. The method is particularly useful for detecting analytes in the solution being electrosprayed by mass spectral analysis.