TITLE:
Partial Reflection of Hyaluronan Molecules Inside the Taylor-cone During Electrospray
AUTHORS:
Zhikai Tan
KEYWORDS:
Electrospray; Macro-molecules; Reflection; Talor-cone
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.4 No.10B,
January
17,
2013
ABSTRACT: Electrospray (ES) is of great interest in research for its finely controlled delivery of molecules. This study investigated mechanisms involved in the electrospray of biological macromolecules which may cause spraying instabilities. Hyaluronan (HA) has been studied for its biological significance. A mixture of ethylene glycol and deionized water with volume ratio of 1:1 is used to dissolve HA molecules. HA solutions with different concentrations and molecular sizes are investigated. Experimental results demonstrate that the molecular size and solution concentration of macro-molecules are critical factors affecting the spraying process. A concentration reduction of HA molecules happened during the ES process, and a hypothesis on partial reflection of HA molecules inside the Taylor-cone is presented in the study.