SBIR Phase I: Combining Size Exclusion Chromatography and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization to Determine the Molecular Weight of Polydispersive Polymers

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目提出开发改进的方法来测量合成聚合物的分子量。尺寸排除色谱和基质辅助激光解吸/电离质谱（MALDI-MS）将结合在一个自动化的样品制备和数据分析系统。虽然MALDI-MS提供了分子量的直接测量，准确的测定只能获得窄分散聚合物。结合MALDI-MS的色谱分离对多分散样品是有效的。该仪器利用已建立的技术将色谱分离的组分浓缩/沉积到预涂有基质的金属箔上。利用MALDI-MS激发激光探测沉积物，收集光谱，并对其进行处理，得到样品的分子量分布。质谱的分辨率也使结构和单体成分分析成为可能。分子量测量是聚合物性能的预测指标，在全球8000个实验室中经常进行。利用MALDI-MS技术测定商用聚合物分子量分布的兴趣非常高。＊＊＊

*** 9760224 Dwyer This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes to develop improved methods for the measurement of the molecular weight of synthetic polymers. Size Exclusion Chromatography and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry(MALDI-MS) will be combined in an automated sample preparation and data analysis system. While MALDI-MS provides a direct measurement of molecular weight, accurate determinations are obtained only with narrow dispersity polymers. Chromatographic separation combined with MALDI-MS is effective for polydisperse samples.The proposed instrument utilizes established technology to concentrate/deposit chromatographically separated components onto a metal foil pre-coated with matrix. The deposit is probed by the MALDI-MS excitation laser, and spectra are collected, and processed to provide molecular weight distribution of the sample. The resolving power of MS also enables structural and comonomer composition analysis. Molecular weight measurements are predictors of polymer performance and are routinely carried out in 8,000 laboratories worldwide. Interest in determining the molecular weight distribution of commercial polymers using the MALDI-MS technique is very high. ***