Characterization of Fluorinated Polymers by Atmospheric-Solid-Analysis-Probe High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (ASAP/HRMS) Combined with Kendrick-Mass-Defect Analysis.

Fluorinated polymers are a diverse and important class of polymers with unique applications. However, characterization of fluorinated polymers by conventional mass spectrometric methods is challenging because (i) their high fluorine contents make them insoluble or only sparingly soluble in most common solvents and (ii) commonly used matrices employed for MALDI do not desorb or ionize them efficiently. In this work, atmospheric-solid-analysis-probe (ASAP) high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used as a new tool for the molecular characterization of various fluorinated polymers, including polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and fluorinated copolymers containing PVDF and chlorotrifluoroethylene (KEL-F 800) or PVDF and hexafluoropropylene (Viton A and Tecnoflon).