Gold and silver nanoparticle‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry compatible with secondary ion mass spectrometry for lipid analysis

Abstract

To provide a convenient organic matrix‐free spray‐on sample preparation for laser desorption ionization (LDI) that is compatible with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) techniques, silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) were applied on a 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC) lipid sample. Application of Ag and Au nanoparticles to the POPC sample allowed POPC lipid fragments to be detected using NP‐LDI in both positive and negative polarities. In addition, the same sample prepared for NP‐LDI experiments was used for C60 SIMS lipid analysis, and a secondary ion signal enhancement was obtained for the [M + H]+ ion of the POPC lipid as well as for characteristics POPC lipid fragments in positive ion mode. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.