Patent ID: 7759643

Claim:
An electrochemical electrospray ionization source comprising: a conductive capillary having a first end in fluid communication with a reservoir of an analyte and a second end having an outlet and defining an outer surface layer, said outlet being positioned within an atmosphere of an ionizable gas such that the outer surface layer is in contact with said ionizable gas; a high voltage power supply in electrical communication between the capillary and a ground such that application of a high voltage to the capillary creates a stable corona discharge at the outlet of said capillary, said corona discharge activating a redox reaction between the outer surface layer of the capillary and the gas such that surface ions are formed on at least a portion of the outer surface layer of the capillary; and wherein the outer surface layer of the capillary is formed from a material that is selected such that the analyte flowing through the capillary is ionized by the surface ions of said capillary.