Boron nitride quantum dots-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis and imaging of bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) displays harmful effects on the human health, including potent endocrine activity and potential impact on the development of cancer. Analysis BPA residues in water and plastic products attracted considerable attention in the past decades. However, dominantly used conventional analysis techniques are unable to directly and non-destructively identify the correct species of BPA in plastic products. Hence, this study demonstrates the effective utilisation of boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) as an inorganic matrix in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis and imaging (MALDI-MS & MSI) for BPA. The presence of abundant hydroxyl and amino groups on the BNQDs’ surface is favourable for the formation of hydrogen bonds with BPA, and increases their ionization and chemoselectivity. Intriguingly, the BNQDs matrix offers a distinct signal for phenolic hazardous molecules featuring different hydroxyl groups. The method was applied to detect BPA at nanomolar level in environmental water, and also allowed non-destructive and in situ mapping of BPA in plastics and pacifiers. This research provides a novel strategy for adapting nanomaterials as inorganic matrices for analysis of small molecular pollutants in environmentally relevant samples using MALDI-MS & MSI.