Mass Spectrometry Methods for the Characterization of Polymer Composition, Structure, and Architecture

在该项目中，由化学部的化学测量和成像计划资助，阿克伦大学的Chrys Wesperiotis教授及其团队将开发新的质谱技术来表征合成聚合物。串联质谱研究涉及碰撞激活以及电子转移解离将进行各种共聚物的目标，以阐明相应的碎片途径，并评估它们揭示的信息共聚物的微观结构和序列。另一个目标是创建接口分离/质谱分析策略，用于分析多组分聚合物混合物。具体而言，将检查交互式液相色谱法的两亲性共混物的表征，和离子迁移率质谱法的聚合物结构的识别，特别是超分子聚合物的结构。计划中的研究的一个主要推动力是需要对阿克伦大学和俄亥俄州东北部的几家公司为工业、临床和生物医学用途设计和生产的新高分子材料进行精确和灵敏的化学分析。该项目中开发的方法将有助于设计出更好的、商业上可行的材料，用于各种应用。此外，计划中的研究将教育和培训本科生，研究生和研究生研究人员，包括来自代表性不足群体的学生，在材料研究和质谱分析，这两个领域增加了地方和国家的就业机会。

In this project, funded by the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Chrys Wesdemiotis of the University of Akron and his group will develop new mass spectrometry techniques for the characterization of synthetic polymers. Tandem mass spectrometry studies involving collision-activated as well as electron-transfer dissociation will be performed on a variety of copolymers with the goal to elucidate the corresponding fragmentation pathways and evaluate the information they reveal about copolymer microstructure and sequence. A further goal is to create interfaced separation/mass spectrometry strategies for the analysis of multi-component polymer mixtures. Specifically, interactive liquid chromatography will be examined for the characterization of amphiphilic blends, and ion mobility mass spectrometry for the identification of polymer architectures, in particular the structures of supramolecular polymers. A major impetus for the planned studies is the need of precise and sensitive chemical analyses for the new macromolecular materials designed and produced for industrial, clinical, and biomedical use at the University of Akron and several corporations in Northeast Ohio. The methods developed in this project will help to engineer better, commercially viable materials for a wide variety of applications. In addition, the planned research will educate and train undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate researchers, including students from underrepresented groups, in materials research and mass spectrometry analysis, two areas of increasing employment opportunities both locally and nationally.