Applications of 2D/3D TOF-SIMS with Fast MS/MS Imaging and keV-CID Identification for Research and Industrial Problem Solving: Low-abundance Molecules, Stereoisomers, Monolayers & Devices

The manufacture of high-performance fibers is studied extensively to provide or to enhance specific characteristics including durability, stain resistance, print adhesion and metallization, breathability, moisture wicking, mildew resistance, heat resistance and flame retarding, to name a few. However, in the pursuit of designer chemistries for use in engineered fabrics, researchers must be able to ascertain the chemical and structural modifications caused by various treatment methods. Here, we evaluate the extent of 2D and 3D (pyro)phosphorylation of 100 m-diameter cellulose fibers by thermal and plasma treatment. The TOF-SIMS tandem MS imaging analyses were conducted on a PHI nanoTOF II Parallel Imaging MS/MS instrument which was equipped with an Ar gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) for analysis in depth. A significant and crucial finding, observed in the keV-CID product ion spectra, is that the plasma treatment leads predominantly to phosphate reaction at primary alcohol groups of the cellulose whereas the thermal treatment is indiscriminate and leads to phosphate reaction at both primary and secondary alcohol groups. In general, the plasma treated samples had greater and more uniform phosphate and pyrophosphate content (Figures The thermal treated samples were more inhomogeneous, and in some cases 1 -5 m-diameter phosphate "blisters" were observed.