Journal article
Sample preparation issues in the analysis of synthetic polymers by MALDI TOF MS
Polymer preprints, Vol.41(1), pp.649-649
26 Mar 2000
Abstract
Researchers using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique are well aware of the importance of sample preparation to a successful analysis. This is particularly so for the analysis of synthetic polymer systems, as compared to biological polymers such as proteins and oligonucleotides, due to the wide variety of chemistries accessible to the synthetic systems. The first step in a MALDI analysis is to identify an appropriate solvent to dissolve the analyte under study. Next a matrix material is chosen that is compatible with the analyte. While usually not explicitly described, the choice of matrix is best done keeping the idea of solid phase solubility in mind. Choosing a matrix where the solvent solubility characteristics are similar to that of the analyte under study is the usual method of choice. The matrix is most often then dissolved in the same solvent as the analyte and mixed to form a liquid sample solution. This solution is then dried to a solid, usually crystalline sample, which is introduced into the mass spectrometer for analysis. While any type of mass spectrometer may be used, the time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) is most often used due to its nearly unlimited mass range. This presentation will investigate a number of important variables in the sample preparation process and their influence on the data obtained from the MALDI mass spectrum.
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Details
- Title
- Sample preparation issues in the analysis of synthetic polymers by MALDI TOF MS
- Creators
- K Owens
- Publication Details
- Polymer preprints, Vol.41(1), pp.649-649
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemistry
- Identifiers
- 991019170157404721