Differentiating Nylons Using Direct Analysis in Real Time Coupled to an AccuTOF Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer.

Nylons are chemically synthesized polymers that are used in a variety of ways. This study differentiates multiple nylon types using direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled with an orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight (oaTOF) mass spectrometer (MS). Seven closely related nylon standards were studied. A DART helium gas temperature of 275 °C was chosen as an optimum for the analysis of nylons. Use of collision induced dissociation (CID) to induce fragmentation increased the power of discrimination. All seven nylon standards were successfully differentiated and identified using DART-MS.