Mass Spectrometry
Online ISSN : 2186-5116
Print ISSN : 2187-137X
ISSN-L : 2186-5116
Original Article
Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Time-Dependently Photodegraded Light Stabilizers in Polyethylene Films Using Tapping-Mode Scanning Probe Electrospray Ionization
Tsuyoshi AkiyamaYoichi Otsuka Mengze SunShinichi YamaguchiMichisato Toyoda
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2025 Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages A0173

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Abstract

Light stabilizers are additives that are widely used to improve the lifespan and performance of polymer materials. To develop advanced polymer materials, analytical techniques investigate the degradation mechanisms and distribution of additives in polymers are crucial. Herein, two extraction–ionization methods were used: tapping-mode scanning probe electrospray ionization (t-SPESI) and liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA). The distribution and molecular structure of the photodegradation products were investigated using polyethylene films containing two types of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers (o-HALS). In addition, to study the relationship between light irradiation time and the relative amount of photodegradation products, we developed a method for preparing films with multiple photodegradation regions. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) using t-SPESI (t-SPESI-MSI) revealed that the signal intensities of HALS decreased with the time of light irradiation, and its degradation products progressively changed. Moreover, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using LESA (LESA-MS/MS) revealed that degradation products were generated by HALS fragmentation in the polymer film. By integrating these results, we propose multiple and stepwise reactions for the formation of the photodegradation products. Results indicate that the combined use of t-SPESI-MSI and LESA-MS/MS can directly analyze and understand the photodegradation mechanism of o-HALS in polymer materials.

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© 2025 Tsuyoshi Akiyama, Yoichi Otsuka, Mengze Sun, Shinichi Yamaguchi, and Michisato Toyoda

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International] license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
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