Charged droplet spray is formed from a solution with all or a portion of
the charged droplet spray current generated from reduction or oxidation
(redox) reactions occurring on surfaces removed from the first or sample
solution flow path. In one embodiment of the invention, two solution flow
channels are separated by a semipermeable membrane. A first or sample
solution flowing through the first solution flow channel exchanges cation
or anion charged species through the semipermeable membrane with a second
solution or gas flowing through the second flow channel. Charge exchange
is driven by the electric field applied at the charged droplet sprayer
sample solution outlet. Redox reactions occur at an electrode surface in
contact with the second solution. The second solution or gas phase
composition can be changed as a step function or as a gradient to run pH
or conductivity scans in the first solution to optimize or modify
Electrospray performance in Electrospray mass spectrometry applications.
The first or sample solution forms a charged droplet spray by
Electrospray or pneumatic nebulization in the presence of an electric
field from the first solution flow channel exit. Evaporating charged
liquid droplets form ions from species in solution that are transferred
into vacuum and mass to charge analyzed. The second solution or
composition can be modified to selectively change pH, conductivity and/or
composition of the sample solution during Electrospray ionization to
enhance or extend analytical performance for given ES/MS analytical
applications. The invention increases the control and range of the
Electrospray ionization process during ES/MS operation. Alternative
embodiments of the invention provide for conducting redox reactions on
conductive surfaces removed from the first or sample solution flow path
but not separated by semipermeable membranes.