DIRECT ETHANOL ELECTROSPRAY-SUPPORTED BURNER SYSTEM

An integrated electrospray and burner system is presented as a means for sample introduction and flame-assisted ionization in a single step. Ethanol solution, serving both as fuel and carrier of particles or substances of interest, is subjected to electrospray ionization, supporting at the same time a stable diffusion flame. The device does not require gas supply and can effectively disperse particles. It is proposed as an economical solution to small scale but well-controlled flame-assisted ionization studies involving electrochemistry, mass spectrometry, or even materials processing.