Laser desorption substrate

Abstract

Articles and methods for the high-energy desorption/ionization of various compositions are disclosed. Methods of the invention utilize porous substrates, optionally in combination with one or more surface coatings and fillers, to provide enhanced desorption of analytes. Such enhanced desorption is particularly useful in fields of analysis such as mass spectrometry. This enhanced desorption has various utilities. For example, use of the porous substrate may allow desorption to be performed without the use of chemical matrices.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A porous polymeric article comprising:
 a polymeric substrate having a first surface;   a plurality of pores on the first surface of the polymeric substrate; and   a coating over at least a portion of the plurality of pores;   wherein the porous polymeric article is configured for receiving analytes and subsequent desorption of the analytes.   
     
     
         28 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 27 , wherein the coating is substantially nonvolatile. 
     
     
         29 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 27 , wherein the coating comprises diamond-like glass. 
     
     
         30 . The porous polymeric substrate or  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric substrate further comprises graphite particles. 
     
     
         31 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric substrate further comprises carbon particles. 
     
     
         32 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric substrate is formed by thermally induced phase separation. 
     
     
         33 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         34 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric substrate is configured and arranged for holding a sample during mass spectrometry analysis. 
     
     
         35 . A porous polymeric article comprising:
 a polymeric substrate containing a filler, the substrate having a first surface; and   a plurality of pores on the first surface of the polymeric substrate;   wherein the polymeric article is configured for receiving of analytes and subsequent desorption of the analytes.   
     
     
         36 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 35 , wherein the filler comprises metal particles, metal oxides, carbon particles, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 35 , wherein the polymeric substrate further comprises carbon particles. 
     
     
         38 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 35 , wherein the polymeric substrate is formed by thermally induced phase separation. 
     
     
         39 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 35 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises high-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         40 . The porous polymeric substrate of  claim 35 , wherein the polymeric substrate is configured and arranged for holding a sample during mass spectrometry analysis. 
     
     
         41 . A porous polymeric article comprising:
 a polymeric substrate comprising a thermally induced phase separated film containing a particulate filler; and   a plurality of pores in the polymeric substrate;   wherein the polymeric article is configured for receiving of analytes and subsequent desorption of the analytes.   
     
     
         42 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 41 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         43 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 41 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises high-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         44 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 41 , wherein the particulate filler comprises metal particles, metal oxides, carbon particles, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The porous polymeric article of  claim 41 , wherein the porous polymeric article further comprises a coating of diamond-like glass.