Insights into analyte electrolysis in an electrospray emitter from chronopotentiometry experiments and mass transport calculations

Insights into the electrolysis of analytes at the electrode surface of an electrospray (ES) emitter capillary are realized through an examination of the results from off-line chronopotentiometry experiments and from mass transport calculations for flow through tubular electrodes. The expected magnitudes and trends in the interfacial potential in an ES emitter under different solution conditions and current densities, using different metal electrodes, are revealed by the chronopotentiometry data. The mass transport calculations reveal the electrode area required for complete analyte electrolysis at a given volumetric flow rate. On the basis of these two pieces of information, the design of ES emitters that may maximize and those that may minimize analyte electrolysis during ES mass spectrometry are discussed.