Which term describes the removal of the liquid mobile phase in ionization processes?

Desolvation refers to the process of removing solvent molecules that are associated with analytes, particularly in the context of ionization processes. In mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques, desolvation is crucial because it allows for the conversion of the analyte from a liquid state into a gaseous ion phase. This step is essential for effective ionization, as the presence of solvent can interfere with the formation of ions and their subsequent detection.

In the context of mass spectrometry, particularly when using techniques like electrospray ionization, desolvation involves the removal of the liquid mobile phase in which the analytes are dissolved. This preparation step is vital for ensuring that ions are generated efficiently and are in a form amenable to detection by the mass spectrometer.

Other terms listed in the options relate to different concepts. Electrospray Ionization is a technique that generates ions from a liquid sample, but it involves the ionization process rather than the removal of the solvent specifically. Coulombic Explosion refers to the rapid disintegration of a charged droplet once it reaches a critical charge density, which is also somewhat related to the ionization process but is not specific to the removal of the solvent. Thermospray pertains to a different method of ion