Plasmaoxidative degradation of polymers studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Different low molecular mass model polymers, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol) and aliphatic poly(carbonate) were exposed to an oxygen radio frequency plasma for different times, The change of the molecular weight distribution and the formation of different Functionalized fragments of these low molecular mass polymers were investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, The majority of the polymers show the expected strong decrease of the molecular masses in the spectra of their soluble fraction indicating a degradation of the polymers, Simultaneously, different types of degradation products were found, which can give detailed information on the chain scission processes occuring in an oxygen plasma.