Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using ordered silicon nanopillar arrays

Hashim Z. Alhmoud, Taryn M. Guinan, Roey Elnathan, Hilton Kobus, Nicolas H. Voelcker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) is ideally suited for the high-throughput analysis of small molecules in bodily fluids (e.g. saliva, urine, and blood plasma). A key application for this technique is the testing of drug consumption in the context of workplace, roadside, athlete sports and anti-addictive drug compliance. Here, we show that vertically-aligned ordered silicon nanopillar (SiNP) arrays fabricated using nanosphere lithography followed by metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) are suitable substrates for the SALDI-MS detection of methadone and small peptides. Porosity, length and diameter are fabrication parameters that we have explored here in order to optimize analytical performance. We demonstrate the quantitative analysis of methadone in MilliQ water down to 32 ng mL-1. Finally, the capability of SiNP arrays to facilitate the detection of methadone in clinical samples is also demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5999-6009
Number of pages11
JournalAnalyst
Volume139
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2014
Externally publishedYes

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