Molecular Characterization of High Molecular Weight Polyesters by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Combined with On-plate Alkaline Degradation and Mass Defect Analysis
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry (Japan)
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI HR TOF MS) is a powerful tool for the molecular characterization of industrial polymers. However, accurate mass determination and resolution of isobaric ions are possible for oligomer samples only typically below m/z 3000. To cut long polymer chains into oligomers suitable for high-resolution mass spectrometry, we propose a simple “on-plate” alkaline degradation of polyesters as a sample pretreatment technique prior to the MALDI TOF MS measurement. This pretreatment can be performed on a MALDI target using a small amount of sample (μg or less) and 1 μL of alkaline reagent by simple pipetting. Informative mass spectra in the oligomeric mass range are successfully recorded but complicated by the variation of end-groups and the copolymeric composition of the degradation products. Data processing is assisted by a series of advanced Kendrick mass defect (KMD) analyses recently proposed by the authors to plot visually understandable two-dimensional maps. On-plate degradation pretreatment, high-resolution MALDI TOF MS measurements, and advanced KMD analyses are innovatively combined for the compositional characterization of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) and industrial poly(ethylene terephthalate) samples. .
- OSTI ID:
- 22923188
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Vol. 30, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2019 American Society for Mass Spectrometry; Article Copyright (c) 2018 The Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-0305
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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