Mechanistic Studies on Cationization in MALDI-MS Employing a Split Sample Plate Set-up.

In the analysis of polymers by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), a commonly observed ionization pathway is cation-adduct formation, as polymers often lack easily ionizable (basic/acidic) functional groups. The mechanism of this process has been hypothesized to involve gas-phase cation attachment. In previous experiments, a split sample plate set-up has been introduced, enabling separate deposition of the components on individual MALDI plates.