Systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.
1. A method for producing metal cluster ions, the method comprising:
applying voltage and heat to a metal salt at atmospheric pressure to thereby ionize the metal salt and produce metal cluster ions; and
directing the metal cluster ions to a target.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the metal salt is in a solvent.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the metal cluster ions react with the solvent.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the metal cluster ions are directed to the target by an electric field or a gas flow.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target is an analytical instrument.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target is a surface.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the surface is a reactive surface.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein interaction of the metal cluster ions with the reactive surface reduces the metal cluster ions to a neutral state.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the reactive surface is a surface that comprises a reducing reagent.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target is a reaction mixture.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein contact of the metal cluster ions to the reaction mixture catalyzes a reaction in the reaction mixture.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the reaction in the reaction mixture occurs in an ambient environment.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target is at atmospheric pressure.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target is under vacuum.
15. A system for producing metal clusters, the system comprising:
a droplet emitter at atmospheric pressure;
a high voltage source coupled to the droplet emitter;
a heating element operably coupled to the droplet emitter; and
a surface positioned to receive metal cluster ions produced by the droplet emitter, wherein deposition of the metal cluster ions on the surface produces metal clusters.
16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the surface is at atmospheric pressure.
17. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the surface is under vacuum.
18. The system according to claim 15 , further comprising a solvent vessel comprising a solvent, wherein the solvent vessel is operably coupled to the droplet emitter.
19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises a gas flow generating device that is operably coupled to the droplet emitter.
20. The system according to claim 15 , further comprising a mass analyzer positioned between the droplet emitter and the surface.