Fluorinated boron nitride nanosheets as an inorganic matrix for the MALDI mass spectrometry analysis of perfluoroalkyl acids

We report, for the first time, the application of fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (F-BNNs) as an effective inorganic matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Fluoride modification of F-BNNs increases both enrichment ability and ionization efficiency. The method was validated using environmental water, milk, human serum samples, and zebrafish imaging that has been previously exposed to PFAAs. The method provided in this work holds considerable promise in term of rapid analysis, sample requirement, and practicability. Fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (F-BNNs) was first used as an inorganic matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) analysis of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in complex samples in negative reflector mode. [Display omitted] •F-BNNs was used as absorbent and inorganic matrix for MALDI-MS analysis of PFAAs in water, milk, and human serum samples.•Mass imaging of PFAAs in zebrafish was explored using F-BNNs.•The possible ionization mechanism of F-BNNs as matrix was discussed.