Plate-like Metal Oxide Nanostructure for Detection of Small Metabolites by Mass Spectrometry

Novel plate-like metal oxide nanostructure was demonstrated for analysis of small metabolites by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI MS). We prepared the nanoplates using hydrothermal method. Owing to the unique nanostructure and physicochemical properties, our method displayed high sensitivity and high accuracy towards the analysis of standard molecules and metabolites of serum samples. The nanomaterials also indicated great salt tolerance and protein endurance in complex biosamples in LDI MS. This work provided an innovative matrix for metabolic analysis and clinical diagnose in LDI MS.