Electrospray performance of interacting multi-capillary emitters in a linear array

Abstract

Here, we report electrospray performance of multiple emitters (of internal diameter 200 µm) arranged in a linear (inline) array. For a fixed flow rate , at higher voltages , multi-jet mode is observed, which leads to a rapid increase in the spray current () as compared to the single cone-jet case (). A theoretical model is presented that predicts (within 10% of experimental data) the divergence of sprays issued from a pair of interacting emitters due to the mutual Columbic interaction of space charges. The variation of onset voltage and spray current with spacing between the emitters is studied and it is found that and . The effect of the flow rate , voltage and number of emitters on the spray current is investigated and it is found that , and . The present work provides insight regarding the behavior of interacting sprays in an inline configuration and could be significant in the design of multiple emitter systems for electrospray applications.