Identification and determination of polysulfonic and polycarboxylic acid oligomers in construction materials using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

Methods for the identification of polymethylene naphtalene sulfonates (PMNS) and polycarboxylate ethers and the determination of PMNS in finished construction materials based on Portland cement using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) are proposed. Modifiers were extracted from construction materials using a mixture of water with acetonitrile. The analytical range for PMNS was 0.3–0.9% of dry substance in relation to the cement weight. The relative standard deviation of the results of PMNS determination in concrete did not exceed 10%. The time of analysis was 40–50 min.