Principles and mechanism of MALDI-ToF-MS analysis

Abstract

This chapter reviews the history and the background of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) analysis. The chapter covers, application of this technique in variety of different areas with the special focus on MALDI analysis of the synthetic polymers. Current chapter describes the principles behind this technique in a great detail. Important technical aspects such as soft ionization, sample preparation and mass discrimination are explained in this chapter. In that perspective, the suitable choices of matrix, ionizing agent and solvents are also discussed. Furthermore, this chapter reviews the coupled analytical techniques with MALDI analysis and their specific applications and significances.