Measurement of nanoparticle mass distributions by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In this paper, access to the mass distribution analysis of nanoparticles is described based on laser desorption/ionization and time of flight mass spectrometry. Two examples are given, demonstrating the accurate mass distribution analysis of nanoparticles fabricated both ex situ and in situ during the laser-assisted desorption process. The potentials and the limitations of the method are discussed, with special emphasis on carbonaceous clusters and molecules.