Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for molecular level understanding of polymer degradation

Abstract

The stability and durability of polymeric materials under different external influences (e.g., sunlight, humidity, heat, chemicals, or microorganisms) is of outmost importance in applications such as coatings, building materials, and automotive parts, whereas a rapidly degradable material is preferable in temporary short-term applications. There are considerable economic and environmental benefits if we can design polymers for short or long lifetimes as well as prevent the release of harmful substances from the materials during their lifetime. The recent developments in mass spectrometric techniques facilitate possibilities for molecular level characterization of the changes taking place in the polymer matrix as well as for identification of the released degradation products. This review presents an overview of the application of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for the analysis of polymer degradation. The great potential of the technique for revealing detailed insights into the degradative reactions taking place is demonstrated with examples ranging from degradable polymers and biomaterials to degradation of coatings, paints, polymer electrolyte membranes, food packaging, and materials in the nuclear industry. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.