Current Trends in Mass Spectrometry

Biography

Biography: Marek M. Kowalczuk

Abstract

Forensic engineering of advanced polymer materials (FEAPM) deals with the evaluation of the relationships between their structure, properties and behavior before, during and after practical applications. It is of particular importance in the case of nanomaterials and their nano-safety, biodegradable polymer materials as well as nanocomposites. The ex-ante investigations as well as the ex-post studies are needed in the area of FEAPM in order to increase efficiency and to define and minimize potential failure of novel polymer products before and after specific applications. Due to the wide spectrum of their potential applications e.g.: in medicine, in the field of compostable polymer packages (especially of long-shelf life products such as cosmetics or household chemicals) as well as in agrichemical formulations the FEAPM can provide basic knowledge and a valuable service by increasing understanding and helping prevent future problems. Such approach helps to design novel biodegradable polymer materials and to avoid failures of the commercial products manufactured from them. It also opens a wide opportunities for FEAPM mass spectrometry. Contemporary report on the MS applications for forensic engineering of natural aliphatic (co)polyesters (PHA) and their synthetic analogues, formed via anionic ring-opening polymerization of β-substituted β-lactones, will be presented. Special emphasis will be given to the results of ESI-MS ecotoxicological studies of polyester blends containing atactic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate). Furthermore, the use of environmentally friendly polymers as packaging materials for long shelf-life applications is the new trend for production. Thus, the results of the ESI-MSn investigations on PLA materials for cosmetic packages will be presented based on the studies of both the eroded polymer and its degradation products formed in paraffin and selected protic media.