Simple Pretreatment for the Analysis of Additives and Polymers by Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Using a Through-Hole Alumina Membrane as a Functional Substrate

Abstract

The analysis of additives and polymers was performed by desorption ionization using through-hole alumina membrane (DIUTHAME) as a functional substrate for both sample pretreatment and surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry. Using the unique absorbing/filtering capabilities of DIUTHAME and investigating the solubility of analytes/bulk materials in some solvents, three pretreatment techniques were demonstrated with (1) the selective removal of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based components from a "PEO-monostearate" sample, (2) the on-chip filtration of solubilized decabromodiphenylether (DBDE) from a solution of polystyrene that had been preliminarily precipitated, and (3) the on-chip extraction of antioxidants (Irganox 1010, Irgafos 168, and dimyristyl 3,3'-thiodipropionate) from a suspension of polypropylene powder or from the powder itself. The extracted analytes were further mass-analyzed using a spiral high-resolution time-of-flight analyzer to assess their elemental composition or molecular distribution.

Keywords: DIUTHAME; additives; antioxidants; brominated flame retardants; poly(ethylene glycol); surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization; surfactant.