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MALDI-TOF imaging mass spectrometry of artifacts in “dried droplet” polymer samples

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Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging of polystyrenes with various molecular masses was applied to study spatial molecular mass distribution of polymers in sample spots prepared by the “dried droplet” method. When different solvents and target surfaces were examined, a segregation of single homologous polymers was observed depending upon the evaporation rate of the solvent. For the observed patterns left by the evaporating droplet, a hypothesis is offered taking into account different hydrodynamic interactions and diffusion. The results illustrate that spot preparation using the conventionally “dried droplet” method is prone to artifacts and should be avoided for reliable and reproducible MALDI mass spectrometry experiments with regards to the determination of molecular masses and mass distributions.

The homogeneity of MALDI spots strongly depends on several parameters. MALDI-TOF imaging was applied to investigate the local distribution of polymers in sample spots prepared by the ‘dried droplet’ method. A solvent depending segregation of single polymer homologs was found and a possible explanation based on diffusion effects while solvent evaporation was presented and discussed. The results clearly suggest avoiding spot preparation using the conventionally ‘dried droplet’ method for MS experiments with regard to the determination of molecular masses and mass distributions. Optical image (left) and ion intensity distribution of PS 45 (middle) and PS 55 silver adduct ions prepared using the ‘dried droplet’ sample preparation (DMAc, retinoic acid)

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) for technical support and R. Laging for her excellent work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany

    Steffen Weidner, Patrick Knappe & Ulrich Panne

  2. Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Strasse 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany

    Ulrich Panne

Authors
  1. Steffen Weidner
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  2. Patrick Knappe
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  3. Ulrich Panne
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Correspondence to Steffen Weidner.

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Published in the special issue MALDI Imaging with Guest Editor Olivier Laprévote.

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Weidner, S., Knappe, P. & Panne, U. MALDI-TOF imaging mass spectrometry of artifacts in “dried droplet” polymer samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 401, 127–134 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4773-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4773-1

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