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Electrospray from glass capillaries

Tiem, Joël van (2012) Electrospray from glass capillaries.

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Abstract:Electrospray from glass capillaries with 10 and 1 µm diameter apertures at 10 to 30 µm capillary-electrode distances has been performed. Electrospray denotes the process in which subjecting a liquid to high potentials leads to ejecting a small jet and finally dispersal of the liquid. Among the various applications of electrospray are soft ionization techniques and micro- and nano droplet fabrication. Interest lies in the miniaturization of the spraying process without suffering from electrical breakdown by reducing the applied voltages. This can be achieved by reducing the capillary-electrode distance. Another approach would be increasing the pressure applied to the capillary. Both methods have been studied. Focus lies on the design, construction and testing of a setup which is able to perform electrospray from apertures with 100 nm to 10 µm diameter. The setup provides a safe environment in which the electrospray process can be studied precisely. Among the most important characteristics is the ability to tune and measure the capillary-electrode distance very accurately. Results from measurements with 1 µm apertures at a capillary-electrode distance of 10 µm show electrospray is possible using sub kilovolt potentials. Optical analysis verify actual electrospray rather than just electrical breakdown takes place in this configuration. Increasing pressure or decreasing capillary-electrode distances proved to reduce the voltage needed to start the spraying.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Subject:50 technical science in general
Programme:Advanced Technology BSc (50002)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/64368
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