Review: Mass spectrometry of step-growth polymers

Eur. J. Mass Spectrom. 11, 591–610 (2005)
DOI: 10.1255/ejms.780

Review: Mass spectrometry of step-growth polymers

Joachim E. KleeDentsply De Trey, De-Trey-Str.1, 78467 Konstanz, Germany. E-mail: jk@dentsply.de

ABSTRACT:

Since at least two decades different mass spectrometric techniques are applied for polymer analysis including the qualitative determination of chemical compositions, end group identification, functionality type distribution and the determination of the cyclisation extend at each degree of polymerisation. Molecular weights exceeding 100 KDa are provable by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Further, molecular weight distributions are determined by MADLI-ToF. However, there are some hints that, there is a discrimination against higher molecular weight species in samples with polydispersity of more than 1.2. Furthermore, pathways for dendritic and hyper-branched polymers, supramolecular polymers and nano condensates are analysed by help of mass spectrometry.

Keywords: lectrospray mass spectrometry, fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry, plasma desorption mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, step-growth polymers, polycondensates, polyadducts, supramolecular polymers

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