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Updated: May 24, 2026

MALDI-ToF MS Method for the Characterization of Synthetic Polymers with Varying Dispersity and End Groups
Published on: October 3, 2025
Surface assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) for analysis of polyester degradation
Nina Aminlashgari1, Minna Hakkarainen
1Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Novel surface assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) method was developed for rapid analysis of low molecular mass polyesters and their degradation products by laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry. Three polycaprolactone materials were analyzed by the developed method before and after hydrolytic degradation. The signal-to-noise values obtained by SALDI-MS were 20-100 times higher compared with the ones obtained by using traditional MALDI-MS matrices. A clean background at low mass range and higher resolution was obtained by SALDI-MS. Different nanoparticle, cationizing agent, and solvent combinations were evaluated. Halloysite nanoclay and magnesium hydroxide showed the best potential as SALDI surfaces. The SALDI-MS spectrum of the polyester hydrolysis products was verified by ESI-MS. The developed SALDI-MS method possesses several advantages over existing methods for similar analyses.
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