MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is one of the latest and most fascinating
new developments in the analysis of organic compounds. Originally
developed for the analysis of biomolecules, it has developed into one of
the most powerful techniques for the characterization of synthetic
polymers. This book describes the fundamentals of the MALDI process and
the technical features of MALDI-TOF instrumentation. It reviews the
application of MALDI-TOF for identification, chemical and molar mass
analysis of synthetic polymers. With many examples, this monograph
examines in detail experimental protocols for the determination of
endgroups, the analysis of copolymers and additives, and the coupling of
liquid chromatography and MALDI-TOF.