Nontraditional matrices for polymer analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

ANYL 82

Justin R. Engle, krwillia@mines.edu, J. Ray Runyon, krwillia@mines.edu, and S. Kim R. Williams, krwillia@mines.edu. Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401
Organic matrices such as dithranol and retinoic acid are commonly used in MALDI-TOF MS analysis of polymers. This often leads to matrix signals at m/z below ~1000 Da which severely compromise the usefulness of this region of the mass spectrum. Other research groups have reported the use of inorganic particles as a substitute for organic matrices. However, these prior studies have mainly focused on biological samples with one study involving 200 Da polyethylene glycol. In this study, we have investigated the use of inorganic particles, e.g., SiO2 and ZnO nanorods, as alternate matrices. Polystyrene and polyethylene glycol with molecular weights up to 2000 Da have been successfully analyzed. In this presentation, we will also discuss results of our MALDI analyses of polymers using gold coatings.

 

General Papers
7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster

Division of Analytical Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006