Direct detection of UV-stabilizers in plastics by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

The present article describes the direct determination of additives in plas tics by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometrie. It is shown that sterically hindered phenol, benzotriazole and amine based light stabilizers and antioxidants ca n be identified quickly and reliably. For the determination, the plastics s ample is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and deposited on the sample ho lder without further treatment. During the MALDI process, the additives are selectively desorbed and ionized. The resulting intact molecular ions are identified by their characteristic mass peaks.