3 research outputs found
Characterization of Polymer Membranes by MALDI Mass-Spectrometric Imaging Techniques
For physical and chemical characterization
of polymers, a wide
range of analytical methods is available. Techniques like NMR and
X-ray are often combined for a detailed characterization of polymers
used in medical applications. Over the past few years, MALDI mass-spectrometry
has been developed as a powerful tool for space-resolved analysis,
not least because of its mass accuracy and high sensitivity. MALDI
imaging techniques combine the potential of mass-spectrometric analysis
with imaging as additional spatial information. MALDI imaging enables
the visualization of localization and distribution of biomolecules,
chemical compounds, and other molecules on different surfaces. In
this study, surfaces of polymeric dialyzer membranes, consisting of
polysulfone (PS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were investigated,
regarding chemical structure and the compound’s distribution.
Flat membranes as well as hollow fiber membranes were analyzed by
MALDI imaging. First, analysis parameters like laser intensity and
laser raster step size (spatial resolution in resulting image) were
established in accordance with polymer’s characteristics. According
to the manufacturing process, luminal and abluminal membrane surfaces
are characterized by differences in chemical composition and physical
characteristics. The MALDI imaging demonstrated that the abluminal
membrane surface consists more of polysulfone than polyvinylpyrrolidone,
and the luminal membrane surface displayed more PVP than PS. The addition
of PVP as hydrophilic modifier to polysulfone-based membranes increases
the biocompatibility of the dialysis membranes. The analysis of polymer
distribution is a relevant feature for characterization of dialysis
membranes. In conclusion, MALDI imaging is a powerful technique for
polymer membrane analysis, regarding not only detection and identification
of polymers but also localization and distribution in membrane surfaces