LDI-MS strategies for analysis of polymer degradation products, additives and drugs

Abstract: The advancement of mass spectrometry (MS) has been and continues to be a prominent analytical technique for highly accurate determination of analytes. The goal of this thesis was to develop new laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometric (LDI-MS) methods for analysis of polymer degradation products, additives and drugs. Modifications in the sample preparation were evaluated in the presence and absence of surface assisting materials. Various nanoparticles were evaluated as effective absorbents for energy transfer in the LDI procedure of the small molecules.In paper I and II, LDI-MS methods were developed for following the progression of chemical reactions. First, the procedure to optimize microwave assisted hydrothermal degradation products of cellulose were analyzed; second, the synthesis of glucose hexanoate ester plasticizers was monitored as a function of reaction time. The LDI-MS method provided rapid detection for the elucidation of the chemical products and their relative ratios. In contrast, the electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis produced a noisy spectrum primarily containing peaks from salt clusters. A surface assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) method was developed in paper III enabling the identification of poly(e-caprolactone) and its degradation products by using nanoparticles as the substrate. Similar analysis by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) was not as successful due to convolution of the analyte peaks with clusters released from the matrix. ESI-MS analysis verified the SALDI-MS method as comparable degradation product patterns were observed. Furthermore, the possibility of using polylactide based nanocomposites as surfaces in the analysis of drugs was evaluated in paper IV. An advantage was the ease of handling compared to the use of free nanoparticles. Paper V introduces the potential of direct examination of oxygen plasma modified parylene C surfaces by a LDI-MS methodology.