Dynamics of Rayleigh Fission Processes in ∼100 nm Charged Aqueous Nanodrops

Charge detectionmass spectrometry reveals that the spontaneousfission of charged aqueous nanodrops occurs via many pathways thatproduce different numbers of progeny droplets over 2-100+ ms. Fission of micron-size charged droplets has been observedusingoptical methods, but little is known about fission dynamics and breakupof smaller nanosize droplets that are important in a variety of naturaland industrial processes. Here, spontaneous fission of individualaqueous nanodrops formed by electrospray is investigated using chargedetection mass spectrometry. Fission processes ranging from formationof just two progeny droplets in 2 ms to production of dozens of progenydroplets over 100+ ms are observed for nanodrops that are chargedabove the Rayleigh limit. These results indicate that Rayleigh fissionis a continuum of processes that produce progeny droplets that varywidely in charge, mass, and number.

Automated summary

Charge detection mass spectrometry is used to study the spontaneous fission of charged aqueous nanodrops, and it is found that the fission process varies and produces different numbers of progeny droplets over a range of 2-100+ ms. While the fission of micron-sized charged droplets has been studied using optical methods, little is known about the dynamics and breakup of smaller nanosized droplets, which play a crucial role in natural and industrial processes. In this study, the spontaneous fission of individual charged nanodrops formed by electrospray is investigated, and it is observed that the fission processes range from the formation of two progeny droplets in 2 ms to the production of dozens of progeny droplets over 100+ ms for nanodrops that are charged above the Rayleigh limit. These findings suggest that Rayleigh fission is a continuum of processes that result in progeny droplets with varying charge, mass, and number.