Role of the support material on laser desorption/ionization mass spectra.

We report the results of experimental studies on the effects of sample supports in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). LDI time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectra obtained for C(60) and insulin samples deposited onto standard stainless steel substrate and/or onto some non-metallic materials (glass, scotch tape, floppy disc foil, Teflon foil, photocopy film), all recorded under identical, typical experimental conditions, have been compared with regard to their intensity and quality. The LDI investigations show that compared with stainless steel, glass and floppy disc foil sample supports boost (2-3.5 times) ion yields for C(60)(+) and C(60)(-) ions, respectively. The stainless steel and scotch tape sample supports are the best for the mass resolution of positive ions and the formation of (C(60))(n)(-) (n