TSI Instruments 3480 Quick Start Manual

Model 3480
Electrospray Aerosol Generator
method of generating 3-nanometer particles is now
A
available from TSI. The Model 3480 Electrospray
Aerosol Generator produces stable, monodisperse, sub-
micrometer aerosol in the range from less than 3 to
greater than 100 nanometers. It achieves such small
diameters by moving a conductive liquid solution or
suspension through a capillary and applying an electri-
cal field to the liquid at the capillary tip. The electrical
field draws the liquid from the tip into a conical jet
from which ultrafine charged droplets are emitted. Air
and CO are merged with the droplets, and the liquid
2
evaporates while the charge is neutralized by an ioniz-
er. The result is a neutralized, monodisperse aerosol
that is practically free of solvent residue.
1 2
A viewport in the instrument allows you to watch the capil-
lary tip during operation. Three views of the capillary tip are
shown above: (1) no liquid flow, (2) with liquid flow but no
electrical field, and (3) with liquid flow and an electrical
field. The latter view illustrates stable Electrospray operation.
P R O D U C T
I
Produces particles as small as
3 nm in diameter, in concentrations

APPLICATIONS

generate monodisperse aerosol has been documented in
many publications. Although the basic principles are
well understood, many of the fine details explaining
how different operating parameters affect the electro-
spray method remain to be discovered. Known applica-
tions for this instrument include:
• Instrument calibration
• Studies of nano-aerosols
• Deposition of nanoparticles onto surfaces
• Aerosol analysis in the macromolecular and submi-
3
crometer range
• Dispersion of nanometer-sized powders for research
applications
• Research involving parameters that influence the
electrospray process
a differential pressure moves the solution through the
capillary. An electric field induces a charge on the
solution at the capillary tip and acts on the induced
charge to form ultrafine
droplets that are mixed with
clean air and CO
N F O R M
7
as high as 10 particles/cm
The successful use of the electrospray method to

OPERATION

The operator places a standard centrifuge vial
containing a sample solution inside a cylindrical
pressure vessel. The vessel accommodates a capil-
lary and a high-voltage platinum wire, both of
which are immersed in the solution. Maintaining
. The gas
2
A T I O N
3