Pulsed electrospray for mass spectrometry.

Pulsed electrospray has been developed and been reported for the first time. This new technique is based on the principle of pulsed ion sources, combined with the conventional electrospray. The pulsed ion spray was realized by a homemade pulsed HV circuit and was monitored by a digital microscope and an oscilloscope. Results show that the pulsed ESI device can be operated under proper conditions for a clear on-and-off spray process and that the device was kept in good electric contact for electrospray when pulsed HV was on. A pulsed ion current and pulsed mass spectra can be achieved with this pulsed ESI device. Furthermore, it has been noted that, under the same conditions (i.e., shape and size of sprayer tip, distance from sprayer tip to sampling nozzle, and other parameters for mass spectrometer), stable electrospray could be obtained for lower flow rates with a pulsed spray device. This experimental fact indicates the possible reduction in the total sample consumed could be realized by exploiting this novel design.