An experimental study on the use of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators for electrospray dynamics enhancement

Electrospray technology, central to numerous scientific and industrial applications, utilizes electrostatic means to produce fine aerosol droplets, a process fundamentally characterized by the Taylor cone phenomenon. This research explores the integration of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators to enhance the electrospray process. By generating ionic wind, the DBD plasma actuators influence droplet formation, control, and stability. The experimental setup involved precise control of electrospray parameters, visualization through high-speed cameras, and droplet characterization via phase Doppler anemometry (PDA). Results indicated that the ionic wind from plasma actuators reduced droplet size and enhanced spray uniformity, particularly in the multi-jet mode. The findings demonstrate the potential of plasma-assisted electrospray with an observed overall droplet diameter 13.9%–29.8% increase and a global droplet velocity 6.3%–7.1% increase, while also stabilizing the efficiency of the spray and reducing the measurement time. These improvements offer a fine tuning on the electrospray, which can be particularly useful in fields such as drug delivery and materials synthesis by offering enhanced control over droplet characteristics and electrospray dynamics.