Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 10, 2018
Characterization of plasma polymerized C, H, and O containing compounds by MALDI mass spectrometry
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States.
Abstract:
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is used for the first time to characterize radio frequency plasma-deposited polymers and for investigation of the plasma polymerization process. The MALDI mass spectra of the plasma polymers of allyl alcohol, di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether and ethylene glycol butyl vinyl ether are all reported using solvent-based MALDI sample preparation approaches. The MALDI mass spectra of each of the three plasma polymers contain distinctive polymer series ion signals having molecular weight distributions below 2000 Da. Unexpectedly, however, the ion signals from each of the three plasma polymers show a common polymer repeat unit of 44 Da, for which the chemical formula is most likely -(C(2)H(4)O)-, and no evidence of the expected radical chain polymerization polymer is detected. These results are discussed in terms of the likely involvement of gas-phase radical species having different stabilities in the radio frequency plasma environment.
More Related Videos
06:16MALDI-ToF MS Method for the Characterization of Synthetic Polymers with Varying Dispersity and End Groups
Published on: October 3, 2025
09:34Improved Polymerase Chain Reaction-restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Genotyping of Toxic Pufferfish by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Published on: September 20, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Mass Spectrometry: Overview