Matrix materials ionization

Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) is one of a number of ionization techniques which utilize a matrix material, in which the analyte is dissolved, to transfer sufficient energy to the analyte to facilitate ionization. In FAB, the matrix material is a liquid, such as glycerol, and the energy for ionization is provided by a high-energy atom (usually xenon) or, more recently, an ion (Cs+) beam. In conventional FAB, the solution of analyte in the matrix material is applied to the end of a probe which is placed in the source of the mass spectrometer where it is bombarded with the atom/ion beam. 

MALDI shares many features with FAB in that it employs a matrix which transfers energy to an analyte molecule to facilitate the ionization of polar and thermally labile, high-molecular-weight molecules. In this case, however, the energy is provided by a pulsed laser at a wavelength which may be absorbed by a matrix material such as nicotinic or sinapinic acids. The ability to obtain mass... 

In conventional FAB (see Section 3.2.3), the analyte is mixed with an appropriate matrix material and applied to the end of a probe where it is bombarded with a fast-atom, or latterly, a fast-ion, beam. There are two major considerations when linking HPLC to such a system, namely (a) how is the matrix material, which is crucial for effective ionization in conventional FAB, to be incorporated into the system, and (b) how is the flowing HPLC system to be continuously presented to the ionizing beam ... 

Fast-atom bombardment An ionization method used for involatile and thermally labile materials. In this technique, the sample is dissolved in a matrix material and bombarded with a high-energy atom or ion beam. 

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) A method used for the ionization of high-molecular-weight compounds. In this approach, the analyte is crystallized with a solid matrix and then bombarded with a laser of a frequency which is absorbed by the matrix material. 

Matrix material A material used in fast-atom bombardment and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization to transfer energy to an analyte molecule to bring about its ionization. 

In the early 1980s, one of the authors of this chapter began to study argon matrix isolation of radical cations235 by applying the radiolytic techniques elaborated by Hamill and Shida. A central factor was the addition of an electron scavenger to the matrix which was expected to increase the yield of radical cations and the selectivity of the method. For practical reasons, X-rays replaced y-rays as a radiolytic source and argon was chosen as a matrix material because of its substantial cross section for interaction with keV photons (which presumably effect resonant core ionization of Ar). Due to the temporal separation of the process of matrix isolation of the neutral molecules and their ionization, it was possible to obtain difference spectra which show exclusively the bands of the radical cations. 

Only a small fraction of the sputtered material will actually be ionized. The ionization probability depends on the element species and on the matrix material. 

Recently, Ramamurthy and colleagues demonstrated that certain zeolites, including Na-ZSM-5, spontaneously oxidize a variety of olefmic or aromatic substrates (Fig. 1) [34, 35], Zeolites have been utilized frequently as supporting matrix materials [36-38], These materials contain host cavities of well defined geometries and allow molecules of appropriate shapes to be incorporated. Typically, the host contained in the zeolite is oxidized by exposure to ionizing radiation (vide infra), and the resulting radical cation is protected against ion... 

The power of the method is greatly enhanced by using matrix assistance (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization, or MALDI). Two matrix materials, nicotinic acid and sinapinic acid, which have absorption bands coinciding with the laser employed, have found widespread use and sample molecular weights of up to two to three hundred thousand Da have been successfully analyzed. A few picomoles of sample are mixed with the matrix compound fol-... 

SPE is an attractive sample-preparation technique for these reasons very selective extracts can be obtained (reducing the potential for ionization suppression from matrix materials) wide variety of sample matrices accepted analytes can be concentrated high recoveries with good reproducibility improved throughput via parallel processing low solvent volumes suitable for full automation and no emulsion Ibnnation as seen with LLE. In addition, so many product formats and chemistry choices are available that nearly all extraction requirements can be met. 

The effectiveness of using the thermal input for EB crosslinking of carbon-fiber composite matrix materials to reduce dose was shown by M. Lavalle. Proper combinations of monomer, sulfur and metals subjected to ionizing radiation were found to produce nano-particles that could be of use in electronic applications. 

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