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Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using ordered silicon nanopillar arrays
Hashim Z Alhmoud1, Taryn M Guinan, Roey Elnathan
1Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia. nico.voelcker@unisa.edu.au.
The Analyst
|October 1, 2014
Summary
Silicon nanopillar (SiNP) arrays enable sensitive detection of methadone using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). This advancement supports high-throughput drug consumption testing in clinical and forensic applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) is crucial for high-throughput analysis of small molecules in biological samples.
- Accurate drug consumption testing is vital for workplace safety, sports integrity, and addiction compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize silicon nanopillar (SiNP) arrays as substrates for SALDI-MS.
- To evaluate the performance of SiNP arrays for detecting methadone and small peptides.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of vertically-aligned ordered SiNP arrays using nanosphere lithography and metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE).
- Optimization of SiNP parameters (porosity, length, diameter) for enhanced analytical performance.
- SALDI-MS analysis of methadone and small peptides using fabricated SiNP substrates.
Main Results:
- SiNP arrays demonstrated suitability for SALDI-MS detection of methadone and small peptides.
- Quantitative analysis of methadone achieved a limit down to 32 ng mL(-1) in MilliQ water.
- Successful detection of methadone in clinical samples using SiNP arrays was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Vertically-aligned SiNP arrays are effective substrates for SALDI-MS, enabling sensitive drug detection.
- Fabrication parameter optimization is key to maximizing the analytical performance of SiNP substrates.
- SiNP arrays show significant potential for high-throughput drug testing applications in clinical settings.
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