Characterization of cyclic (aryletherketone)s by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify cyclic(aryl ether ketone) oligomers, using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as a matrix, and Na+ and K+ as cationization agents, The existence of different ring-sized cyclic oligomers up to 9 and their distribution were determined and compared with GPC results, The results indicated that MALDI-TOF MS was a powerful and rapid analytical tool for the cyclic oligomers.