Field evaporation of ions from glycerol/water solutions with use of polymer track membranes

The main principles of the field extraction of ions from water/glycerol solutions by use of a of poly(ethylene terephtalate) track membrane technique are considered. Application of the technique provides a direct transfer of ions dissolved in the liquid dielectric into gas phase. A possibility of stabilization of the liquid in the submicron channels of the track membrane in an electric field of high strength is shown. The current from dielectric membrane is controlled by several processes including formation of strong electric field near the liquid-vacuum interface, transport of ions along the channels to the interface and the field-assisted transition of charged species into vacuum. A special feature of extraction of charged species from the channels of dielectric membranes is connected largely with on accumulation of charges on the vacuum surface of the polymer membrane. A corresponding model of extracting field formation is considered. The model of a direct field-stimulated evaporation is used as an extraction mechanism of cluster ions from liquid. The result of computer simulation of the model is compared with the results of previous measurements of a total current.