TRANSITION-METAL CATIONIZATION OF LASER-DESORBED PERFLUORINATED POLYETHERS WITH FTICR MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Mass spectra of perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) films on metal substra tes have been measured using a novel transition-metal cationization te chnique combined with FTMS. Full parent mass distributions were obtain ed with this technique. Two pulsed lasers were employed: a low fluence laser for PFPE desorption and a high fluence laser for metal ion form ation. Cationization was observed to occur in the gas phase above the sample surface. The dynamics of the process are discussed. Application s to measure average molecular weights and study photochemistry of PFP E samples are presented. Electron attachment to PFPEs was also studied . Only negative ion fragments were observed from this process.