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Distinguishing authentic and counterfeit banknotes by surface chemical composition determined using electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Kao YiYing,
Cheng ChuNian,
Cheng SyChyi,
Ho HsiuO,
Shiea Jentaie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.3263
Subject(s) - chemistry , desorption electrospray ionization , mass spectrometry , ambient ionization , electrospray ionization , electrospray , matrix assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization , analytical chemistry (journal) , counterfeit , chromatography , desorption , ionization , chemical ionization , ion , matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization , organic chemistry , adsorption , political science , law
Electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (ELDI/MS) was used to rapidly distinguish authentic banknotes from counterfeits of the US dollar and the New Taiwan dollar. The banknotes' surfaces were irradiated with a pulsed ultraviolet laser, after which the desorbed ink compounds entered an electrospray plume and formed ions via interactions with charged solvent species. Authentic banknotes were found to differ from their counterfeit equivalents in their surface chemical compositions. The detected chemical compounds included various polymers, plasticizers and inks; these results were comparable with those obtained using solvent extraction followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis. Because of the high spatial resolution of the laser beam, ELDI/MS analysis resulted in minimal damage to the banknotes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.