Method for producing gas-phase metal anions

US9147566B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Athula Buddhagosha Attygalle · Hoboken, US
• Carl S. Weisbecker · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 29, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 25, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J49/0095
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Monatomic metal anions are generated in the gas phase by collision-induced dissociation of the anions [26] of a dicarboxylic acid salt of the metal. This method is applicable to a number of metals, including sodium, potassium, cesium, and silver. The metal anions produced in this way can subsequently be stored in an ion trap [88] or transmitted as a focused beam [52]. The metal anions of this invention undergo collisional cooling and have low kinetic energy, which distinguishes them from ions produced by other high energy processes (with kinetic energy in excess of 1 keV). Metal anions so produced can be used to pattern nanoscale features on surfaces [56], used as electron transfer agents or reducing agents in ion-molecule reactions, or used for surface [122] modification of biomaterials [124].