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

Fission of micron-size charged droplets has been observed
using
optical methods, but little is known about fission dynamics and breakup
of smaller nanosize droplets that are important in a variety of natural
and industrial processes. Here, spontaneous fission of individual
aqueous nanodrops formed by electrospray is investigated using charge
detection mass spectrometry. Fission processes ranging from formation
of just two progeny droplets in 2 ms to production of dozens of progeny
droplets over 100+ ms are observed for nanodrops that are charged
above the Rayleigh limit. These results indicate that Rayleigh fission
is a continuum of processes that produce progeny droplets that vary
widely in charge, mass, and number.