Laser ablation synthesis of new phosphorus nitride clusters from α‐P₃N₅ via laser desorption ionization and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

Phosphorus nitride clusters generated during Laser Desorption Ionization (LDI) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) of solid P(3) N(5) were analyzed via Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF MS). The LDI TOF mass spectra show the formation of series of clusters: P(m)N(n)(+) {(m=1; n=8-11), (m=4; n=3-4), (m=5; n=1-5), (m=6; n=1-3, 5-8), (m=2-7; n=1), (m=5-10; n=2), (m=4-6; n=3), (m=4,5; n=4), (m=5,6; n=5)}, and P(m)N(n)(-) (m=4,5; n=1). Using 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (HPA) as a matrix the P(m)N(n)(+) species (m=1-4, 6, 8) with a high nitrogen content (n=4, 5, 8, 10-12, 20) were identified. The formation of a N(6)(-) cluster was also detected using a C(60) matrix. Under various conditions singly charged P(m)(+) (m=2-7, 9, 13), P(m)(-) (m=3-11, 13, 15, 17), N(n)(+) (n=5, 9, 10, 12, 13), and N(n)(-) (n=6, 10-15) clusters were identified in the mass spectra. Such high nitrogen content clusters (up to N(15)(-)) generated by laser desorption from a solid material are described for the first time. The stoichiometry of the P(m)N(n) clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modelling. The composition of the clusters with respect to the crystalline structure of α-P(3)N(5) is discussed.

Laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of erbium‐doped Ga‐Ge‐Sb‐S glasses

“…There have been many reports of the structural characterization of inorganic compounds by LDI and MALDI TOF MS; for example, of inorganic coordination complexes, polyester or thiol self‐assembled films . In addition, the LDI and MALDI results for the inorganic polymer, P 3 N 5 , show many clusters with similar stoichiometry . Furthermore, the LDI analysis of bulk and PLD films of As‐S‐Se glasses also shows many clusters with similar stoichiometry .…”

Clusters of Monoisotopic Elements for Calibration in (TOF) Mass Spectrometry

“…Clusters of monoisotopic elements provide simple spectra with many monoisotopic peaks covering the mass range of interest with regular mass spacing. In this work, we discuss the calibration of mass spectra by clusters of red phosphorus, which is already established in our laboratory [6,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16], and compare it with calibration by gold clusters generated directly on the target by laser desorption ionization (LDI)-MS of various materials, including gold foil [17], various types of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ), a mixture of 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid and HAuCl 4 [18], and polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized AuNPs [19]. Gold clusters provide simple and fast determination of accurate mass compared with common calibration standards, such as peptides or proteins.…”

Laser ablation synthesis of arsenic–phosphide AsmPn clusters from As–P mixtures. Laser desorption ionisation with quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry: The mass spectrometer as a synthesizer

“…LA was also used for the analysis of various nano‐layers of solid materials, e.g. As‐Se and As‐S‐Se glasses, phosphorus nitride and titanium carbides, where even the identification of structural fragments of solids using LDI‐TOFMS has been demonstrated.…”