Enhanced study and control of analyte oxidation in electrospray using a thin-channel, planar electrode emitter

A thin-channel, planar electrode emitter device is described and utilized for the study and control of electrochemical oxidation of analytes at the emitter electrode in an electrospray ion source. For analytes that are not particularly susceptible to oxidation, the planar electrode device functions analytically in a manner similar to emitter systems that utilize the more common stainless steel tubular electrodes. For more easily oxidized analytes, the device provides the means to achieve near 100% oxidation efficiency or to completely eliminate analyte oxidation through simple and rapid changes in electrode material, electrode area, electrode covering, channel height above the electrode, or solution flow rate. Compared to the use of tubular electrodes, the planar electrode emitter system provides improved flexibility in altering the nature of the electrode area and material, as well as altering analyte mass transport to the electrode surface. Each of these parameters is critical in the control of electrochemical reactions and can be easily studied or exploited with this emitter electrode configuration.