title: Nylon nanoweb with TiO2 nanoparticles as a solid matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The solid matrices used for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) enable the analysis of small molecules by preventing fragmentations of organic matrix molecules in the low mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) range. In this work, a nylon nanoweb with TiO(2) particles was developed as a solid matrix for MALDI-TOFMS to improve the low intensities of mass peaks, narrow detection ranges and low signal-to-noise levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nylon nanoweb with TiO(2) particles was prepared by simultaneously electrospinning a nylon nanoweb and electrospraying TiO(2) nanoparticles measuring 25 nm in diameter to form TiO(2) spheres 300 nm in diameter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MS of multiple analytes was demonstrated in the low molecular weight range using eight amino acids. Additionally, leucine-enkephalin (555.6 g/mol) and cyclic citrullinated peptide (1668 g/mol) were used as model analytes to test the feasibility of a nylon nanoweb containing TiO(2) particles as a solid matrix for MALDI-TOFMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nylon nanoweb with TiO(2) particles can be applied for the detection of volatile small molecule analytes in the m/z ratio range of small molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Jo-Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Su-Yeol
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jong-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Joo-Yoon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Min-Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Seung-Yeop
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Jae-Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pyun