Journal
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Volume 8, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25946-z
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- German Science Foundation [SO976/2-1, SO976/3-1, DR416/12-1]
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Munster [Drei2/018/17]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is widely used for the analysis of large biomolecules in numerous applications. The technique utilizes nanosecond-long laser pulses at various spot sizes to eject and ionize large molecules embedded in a highly absorptive chemical matrix. Despite the methods name, 'molecular desorption' from the matrix crystal surface is not the sole mechanism discussed for material ejection in MALDI, but additional ablation of larger clusters has been reported. Here we present results on the influence of laser fluence and spot size on the mechanisms of the initial material ejection in MALDI and subsequent plume development. We used a laser-based postionization (MALDI-2) as well as a complementary photoacoustic method to monitor the material ejection step. The photoacoustic data reveal a quasi-thermal sublimation process up to a transition fluence. Above this threshold fluence additional ablation processes are observed. Complementary investigations on plume dynamics by MALDI-2 showed an ejection of predominantly fast particles for desorption conditions while ablation produces considerably slower ejecta. Additionally the presented results revealed a peculiar influence of the spot size on analyte fragmentation as well as plume development and allows for new insights into the unexplained spot size effect reported for MALDI.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available