• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.77-81
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• 2020

Characterization of the various chemical aspects of composite polymers is important for quality control of manufactured polymers. In this study, we compared three suitable matrices (α cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid [CHCA], 2,5 dihydroxy benzoic acid [2,5-DHB], and dithranol), to characterize various synthetic polymers by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Although the spectra obtained with the CHCA and 2,5-DHB matrices were generally good, in certain samples ghost peaks disappeared only when dithranol was used as the matrix. Furthermore, we examined the use of sodium trifluoroacetate (NaTFA) as an additive to reduce interference by metals and copolymers in the spectra. In conclusion, appropriate selection of a matrix, according to the characteristics of the polymer, and the use of additives to improve sensitivity are important considerations for polymer analysis and development.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.477-482
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• 2011

The structural analysis of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and characterization of the hydrolytic degradation products after acid hydrolysis were performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Mass spectra of the PTT samples were analyzed using a self-calibration method as well as an internal calibration method with standard materials of known masses. PTT structures constituting the samples were determined from the analyses of the spectra, and their relative compositions were estimated. The MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the acid-hydrolyzed PTT sample showed three main series of oligomer products with different end groups in accordance with the hydrolysis schemes. From the spectra of both $Na^+$ and $K^+$ adducts, it was concluded that the PTT samples have higher affinity for $Na^+$ compared with $K^+$ and therefore show higher ionization efficiency with sodium ions when dithranol is used as a matrix. Two different wavelength laser beams ($\lambda$ = 337 nm and 355 nm) were tested and it was observed that the 355 nm beam was more efficient in obtaining the MALDI spectra of PTT using dithranol as a matrix under our experimental conditions.