Laser desorption/photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of polymer additives

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7926-3_37· OSTI ID:6636353

Hunt, J E; Lykke, K R; Pellin, M J

Laser desorption mass spectrometry has proven to be a very useful tool in the analysis of non-volatile organic materials. Laser desorption (LD) along with other mass spectrometric techniques such as fast atom bombardment and {sup 235}Cf-plasma desorption have greatly extended the ability of mass spectroscopy to characterize complex substances. Laser desorption with a single laser wavelength has achieved some success in analysis of organic polymer additives. In this case the desorption laser also acts as the ionization laser, limiting the ion yield, and ultimately, the sensitivity. Furthermore, the ion yield may depend critically on the matrix, as demonstrated in matrix-assisted laser desorption of proteins. Earlier work has suggested that a two-laser scheme, separating the desorption step from the ionization step, can be useful in characterizing complex substances. In this work we describe a laser desorption/photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LD/PI TOF) and the feasibility of laser desorption coupled with photoionization of neutrals for characterization of polymer additives. Present day polymers are complex mixtures of not only the base polymer, but also many additives which determine the characteristics of the polymer in a critical way. The analysis of polymer additives by mass spectrometry has remained a considerable challenge because of the complexity of commercial polymer formulations. The main advantage of this technique results from the separation of the desorption and ionization processes. Furthermore, separation of the desorption and ionization steps offers possibilities for the investigation of the desorption process. We also present some information about the initial velocity distributions of desorbed neutral species obtained with our LD/PI TOF spectrometer.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6636353
• Report Number(s): CONF-9006271-1; ON: DE90017808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
ADDITIVES
DESORPTION
EXCIMER LASERS
GAS LASERS
IONIZATION
LASERS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
PHOTOIONIZATION
POLYMERS
SPECTROSCOPY
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD