Multi-Capillary ESI Ion Source for High-Throughput Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ESI ion sources face challenges in maintaining ionization efficiency and analysis sensitivity when the flow rate of the mobile phase in liquid chromatography is increased, leading to decreased ionization efficiency and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The ion analyzer employs a configuration with multiple capillaries arranged to spray the liquid sample in the same direction, accompanied by auxiliary electrodes and a voltage supplier that applies a DC high voltage, strengthening the electric field around the capillaries and promoting charge-induced splitting and ion convergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow rate of the mobile phase is increased to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but ionization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ion source is divided into multiple capillaries (first capillary and second capillary) that are arranged in parallel. The liquid sample flow is segmented and supplied to each capillary separately, allowing each capillary to maintain optimal ionization conditions even when the total flow rate increases. This segmentation enables the system to handle higher throughput while preserving ionization efficiency in each individual capillary.
2Reliability
If multiple capillaries are used to distribute liquid sample, then ionization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capillaries are merged into a single ionization chamber where they share common auxiliary electrodes and voltage supply systems. The first capillary and second capillary are positioned adjacent to each other and both receive voltage from the same auxiliary electrode, reducing the need for separate control systems and minimizing overall device complexity while maintaining improved ionization efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If auxiliary electrodes are added to strengthen electric field, then ion convergence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary electrodes serve multiple functions: they strengthen the electric field for ion convergence, provide voltage reference for the capillaries, and assist in ionization enhancement. By making the auxiliary electrodes multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving ion convergence without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances ionization efficiency and collection efficiency, allowing for higher throughput and improved analysis sensitivity by effectively atomizing and converging charged droplets and ions, even with increased liquid sample amounts.
Implementation Method 1
A DC high voltage is applied to the capillary while a liquid sample is also supplied to the capillary, whereby electric charges are imparted to the liquid sample due to the electric field created around the tip of the capillary
Implementation Method 2
With the help of the nebulizing gas spouted from the gap between the outer circumference of the capillary and the inner circumference of the gas tube, the liquid sample is ejected from the tip of the capillary in the form of charged droplets. These charged droplets come in contact with the surrounding gas molecules and are thereby atomized, whereby the solvent (containing the mobile phase used in the liquid chromatograph) in the droplets is vaporized
Implementation Method 3
one or more auxiliary electrodes arranged so as to be surrounded by the plurality of capillaries; and a voltage supplier configured to apply, to the plurality of capillaries, a DC high voltage for which the potential of the one or more auxiliary electrodes is used as a reference
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve the ionization efficiency and ion collection efficiency in an ESI ion source to achieve a higher level of analysis sensitivity while improving the throughput of the analysis, one mode of the present invention provides an ion analyzer equipped with an ion source employing an electrospray ionization method, where the ion source (2) includes: a plurality of capillaries (211-218) configured to spray a supplied liquid sample in the same direction; one or more auxiliary electrodes (23, 231-328) arranged so as to be surrounded by the plurality of capillaries; and a voltage supplier (24) configured to apply, to the plurality of capillaries, a DC high voltage for which the potential of the one or more auxiliary electrodes is used as a reference.