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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 10, 2018
Analysis of various organic and organometallic compounds using nanostructure-assisted laser desorption/ionization
Mark F Wyatt1, Shujing Ding, Bridget K Stein
1EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service Centre (NMSSC), Institute of Mass Spectrometry (IMS), School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom. m.f.wyatt@swansea.ac.uk
Abstract:
Nanostructure-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (NALDI-TOFMS) has been developed recently as a matrix-free/surface-assisted alternative to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The NALDI surface of silicon nanowires is already very effective for the analysis of small to medium sized, polar organic molecules in positive ion mode. The current study examined this technology for the analysis of several nonpolar organic, organometallic, and ionic compounds in positive ion mode, as well as a fluorinated compound and various acids in negative ion mode. NALDI data are compared and contrasted with MALDI data for the same compounds, and the higher sensitivity of NALDI is highlighted by the successful characterization of two porphyrins for a sample amount of 10 amol per spot.
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