PLASMAOXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF POLYMERS STUDIED BY MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION IONIZATION MASS-SPECTROMETRY/

Different low molecular mass model polymers, such as poly(ethylene ter ephthalate), poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol) and aliph atic poly(carbonate) were exposed to an oxygen radio frequency plasma for different times, The change of the molecular weight distribution a nd the formation of different Functionalized fragments of these low mo lecular mass polymers were investigated by matrix-assisted laser desor ption/ionization mass spectrometry, The majority of the polymers show the expected strong decrease of the molecular masses in the spectra of their soluble fraction indicating a degradation of the polymers, Simu ltaneously, different types of degradation products were found, which can give detailed information on the chain scission processes occuring in an oxygen plasma.