title: Evaluation of field desorption mass spectrometry for the analysis of polyethylene.
abstract: Field desorption mass spectrometry (FD-MS) has been evaluated for the analysis of low molecular weight polyethylene by using samples in the molecular weight range 600-2000 u as determined by gel permeation chromatography. The repeat units and end groups were characterized by FD-MS, but it was demonstrated that accurate molecular weight distribution data cannot be obtained for polyethylene by FD-MS because there is mass discrimination against the higher molecular weight polymers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Decoster
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greaves