Polymer Analysis by Mass Spectrometry

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Professor Charles L. Wilkins of the University of Arkansas is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry for conducting fundamental studies in polymer mass spectrometry, focusing on the characterization of copolymers. In particular, a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometric techniques will be employed for solving the problem of copolymer sequence determination.Synthetic polymers are an important component of every-day life, and new polymers for tailored applications aimed at improving the quality of life are constantly being developed in academia and industry. To accomplish this goal, methods for the accurate characterization of polymer structures are essential. Mass spectrometry's dispersive nature makes this method ideally suited for the analysis of polymers that are essentially mixtures of molecules of different masses. This work will improve the methods available for polymer analysis, facilitating the development of novel polymers. Besides the potential broader scientific impacts, this work will educate students, including undergraduates and minorities, in the expanding area of mass spectrometry.