Tailoring nanoparticle surface chemistry to enhance laser desorption ionization of peptides and proteins

Gold nanoparticles capped with 4-aminothiophenol have been employed for laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry of biomolecules. We demonstrate that the capped nanoparticles increase ion yields, decrease ion fragmentation, and increase the useful analyte mass range when compared to other nanoparticle systems. These results will allow for further development of nanoparticles with both targeting and enhanced ionization abilities to aid in biomarker screening.