Mass spectrometry (MS), a hundred-year-old subject, has been a technique of profound importance to molecular science. Its impact in solid-state materials science has not been evident, although many materials of modern science, such as fullerenes, have their origins in MS. Of late, mass spectrometric interface with materials is increasingly strengthened with advances in atomically precise clusters of noble metals. Advances in instrumentation along with recent developments in synthetic approaches have expanded the chemistry of clusters, and new insights into matter at the nanoscale are emerging. High-resolution MS coupled with soft ionization techniques enable efficient characterization of atomically precise clusters. Apart from that, techniques such as ion mobility, tandem MS, etc. reveal structural details of these systems. Growth, nucleation, and reactivity of clusters are also probed by MS. Some of the recent advancements in this field include the development of new hyphenated techniques. Finer structural details may be obtained by coupling MS with spectroscopic tools, such as photoelectron spectroscopy, vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy, etc. With such advancements in instrumentation, MS can evolve into a universal tool for the characterization of materials. The present review captures highlights of this area.

质谱（MS）是一门已有100年历史的学科，它已成为对分子科学极为重要的技术。尽管现代科学的许多材料（例如富勒烯）都起源于MS，但它对固态材料科学的影响尚不明显。最近，随着原子精确的贵金属簇的发展，与材料的质谱界面日益增强。仪器的进步以及合成方法的最新发展扩大了团簇的化学性质，并且正在出现有关纳米级物质的新见解。高分辨率质谱仪与软电离技术相结合，可以高效地表征原子精确的团簇。除此之外，诸如离子迁移率，串联质谱等技术揭示了这些系统的结构细节。生长，成核，MS还可以检测簇的反应性。该领域的一些最新进展包括新的联用技术的发展。通过将MS与光谱工具（例如光电子能谱，真空紫外光谱等）耦合，可以获得更精细的结构细节。随着仪器技术的进步，MS可以演变为用于材料表征的通用工具。本评论总结了这一领域的重点。MS可以发展成为用于材料表征的通用工具。本评论总结了这一领域的重点。MS可以发展成为用于材料表征的通用工具。本评论总结了这一领域的重点。