PNNL

Abstract

Depending on its coordinates in the parameter space, an electrospray can manifest in one of several known regimes – stable, quasi-stable, transitional-chaotic, and non-axial – that ultimately impact measurement sensitivity and precision. An electrospray operating in cone-jet regime provides large and stable spray current, as well as smaller initial droplets that are prerequisites for higher sensitivity and quality mass spectrometric analyses. However, the dynamic conditions encountered in gradient elution-based liquid separations create difficulties for continuous operation in this regime throughout the analysis. We present a preliminary study aimed at stabilizing the electrospray in the cone-jet regime. On the basis of spray current measurements obtained using solvent conditions typically found in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, an improved description of the cone-jet stability island is provided by including transitions to and from the recently described astable regime. Additionally, the experimental conditions in which the astable regime marks the transition between pulsating and cone-jet regimes are further clarified.