Characterization of nanofilm spray products by mass spectrometry

The use of nanofilm spray products (NFPs) has been associated with a number of severe cases of airway injuries; however, the causative agents are unknown. To identify possible causative agents, 10 products from three different suppliers have been analysed using two mass spectrometric methods: (1) ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS; (2) GC–MS and GC–MS/MS. The 10 products could be classified into three groups (NFPs 1–3). NFP 1 and NFP 2 contained hydrolysates and condensates of the organo-functionalized silanes 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl triisopropoxysilane and hexadecyl triethoxysilane, respectively. NFP 3 contained non-ionic detergents and abrasive as active ingredients. To verify the fluorosilane solution in NFP 1, a synthetic NFP 1 was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane. After about 1 month in acidic 2-propanol substitution of the ethoxy groups with isopropoxy groups had taken place and all silane was converted to disiloxanes, trisiloxanes and tetrasiloxanes.