In the fields of materials science and engineering, mass spectrometry (MS) is extensively utilized to find the composition of materials and analyze them quantitatively and qualitatively. Composite materials are formed by incorporating different materials, and the determination of their quantities is essential for the prediction of their properties. Scientists all over the world are using mass spectrometry to develop innovative composite materials optimized for specific purposes.
Image Credit: S. Singha/Shutterstock.com
The Importance of Mass Spectrometry for the Study of Composite Materials
Mass spectrometry efficiently provides data related to the morphology and composition of functional composite materials. These attributes aid in the study of the physiochemical properties of composite materials.
The main reason mass spectrometry is highly preferred for composite materials is that it can detect even trace amounts of additives and components in a composite. Additionally, quantitative analysis of composite materials by mass spectrometry yields accurate results. Mass spectrometry is useful in determining the concentration of substances such as nanoparticles present in composites. All these attributes make mass spectrometry a highly preferred choice for the study of composite materials.
Three-way Evolved Mass Spectrometry for Study of Nanocomposite Materials
Evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) is a special type of mass spectrometry particularly useful for the thermal breakdown study of polymeric composite materials. The development of efficient methods for determining material interaction is crucial for designing top-notch polymer composites. When conducting EGA-mass spectrometry measurements on composites with different amounts of additives, the collected data forms a complex three-dimensional array.
In the latest article published in Polymer Testing, researchers used a special form of mass spectrometry EGA-MS, in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) for analysis of nano-composite materials. Data analysis was used to determine essential information regarding the composite materials. The researchers utilized Poly (styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) nanocomposites with varying amounts of graphene Nano-platelets (GNPs).
The researchers conducted a comparison of the thermal degradation behavior of original Poly (styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) and SBS with 20% graphene Nano-platelets (GNPs). They analyzed the mass spectra collected over specific temperature regions.
Peaks from degradation products of SBS constituents were visible in the 350 –500 °C region. These peaks' intensities decreased at temperatures exceeding 475°C. The temperature-dependent mass spectrometry results of SBS with 20 wt. % GNPs were similar to the original ones.
Peaks from polystyrene and polybutadiene components were evident in the mass spectra. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the EGA mass spectrometry data showed that the inclusion of GNPs effectively limited the decomposition of the polystyrene component in the SBS sample. This highlights the effectiveness of EGA-mass spectrometry in understanding the interfacial interactions of composite materials.
Role of Mass Spectrometry in Development of Biomarkers
A research article has been published in Analyst focusing on the utilization of single-particle inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) for the development of ultrasensitive biomarker assays.
When Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is operated in a time-resolved mode with short signal integration periods (dwell times), it becomes a valuable tool for analyzing ultrasensitive biomarkers. This special technique of mass spectrometry, known as spICP-MS, is versatile and serves as an efficient assay for detecting biomarkers at ultralow concentrations. Mass spectrometry proves particularly useful for identifying blood-borne viruses, circulating tumor cells, and circulating nucleic acids due to its precise signaling system.
Thrombin was selected as the model biomarker for the research study. AuNPS modified with Thrombin aptamer were initially adsorbed onto the graphene oxide (GO) surface to create GO/AuNPs composites. Upon interaction with thrombin, the AuNPs underwent desorption from the GO/AuNPs composites due to a conformational change in the thrombin aptamer triggered by thrombin binding.
The desorbed AuNPs, which correlated with the thrombin concentration, were measured using mass spectrometry. This method demonstrated an exceptionally low detection limit of 4.5 fM and a wide linear range from 10 fM to 100 pM. It exhibited outstanding selectivity and reproducibility even in complex protein matrices. The versatility and accessibility of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) ligands make this technique adaptable for the ultrasensitive detection of diverse biomarkers in clinical diagnostics.
Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Volatile Compounds by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite Materials
Composite materials often face challenging environments, especially in structures like aircraft. A typical fiber composite consists of fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, often epoxy-based. Epoxy composites, widely used in aerospace and engineering, were studied for gaseous emissions during thermal exposure.
A study was published in Scientific Reports investigating the release of harmful gases, especially the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from T700GC/M21, an important carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite material. The mass spectrometry measurements were performed till 250°C.
These measurements are essential for promoting the sustainable development of aerospace materials. For this purpose, the researchers combined Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and real-time gas detection methods. The experimental setup was integrated with commercial sensors. The measurements were performed under a wide range of conditions, including operating temperatures of 120 °C and very high temperatures of 250°C.
Under hydrocarbon-free air, CO, SO2, NO, NO2, and VOCs (mainly aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acid) were identified up to 250°C by mass spectrometry. It was accompanied by increased humidity (4%). Gas and volatile emissions were limited up to 150°C. Identifying and quantifying gaseous emissions, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), through mass spectrometry is crucial for implementing effective safety protocols.
Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Composite Cathodes in Solid-State Batteries
All Solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are seen as a potential alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with liquid electrolytes. Addressing the degradation of anode and cathode interfaces in solid electrolytes (SE) remains a significant challenge.
The potential of advanced analytical tools like time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has yet to be fully realized, and researchers have highlighted its importance for analysis of composite materials of anode and cathode in their latest article published in Chemistry of Materials.
Researchers integrated local compositional information from mass spectrometry and complementary X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements to analyze and visualize the degradation mechanism in the composite cathode of an ASSB. The findings suggest that sulfates and phosphates are crucial in the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI), while transition metal chlorides, phosphides, and sulfides may not be significant contributors.
The results showed that mass spectrometry is highly suitable for determining compositional degradation information as well as obtaining useful data regarding structure. This shows the importance of mass spectrometry in the development of novel battery materials.
More from AZoM: Emerging 2D Materials for Future Electronics
References and Further Reading
Anderson Materials, (2023). Composite Materials Analysis. [Online]
Available at: https://andersonmaterials.com/composite_materials_analysis/
Watanabe, R. et. al. (2021). Three-way evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry combined with principal component analysis (EGA-MS-PCA) to probe interfacial states between matrix and filler in poly (styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene)(SBS) nanocomposites. Polymer Testing, 101, 107300. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2021.107300
Xing, Y. et. al. (2020). Graphene/gold nanoparticle composites for ultrasensitive and versatile biomarker assay using single-particle inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. Analyst, 145(24), 7932-7940. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0AN01019G
Lourenço, C. et al. (2020). Instrumentation for quantitative analysis of volatile compounds emission at elevated temperatures. Part 2: Analysis of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite. Sci Rep 10, 8702. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65473-4
Walther, F. et. al. (2019). Visualization of the interfacial decomposition of composite cathodes in argyrodite-based all-solid-state batteries using time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry. Chemistry of materials, 31(10), 3745-3755. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b00770
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.