Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Instrument: The GCMS in the analytical core is a Shimadzu Nexis GC-2030 with a TQ8050 NX mass spectrometer. This instrument also comes equipped with an AOC-6000 autosampler. The autosampler has three injection tools: liquid, headspace, and solid phase microextraction (SPME). SPME is a technique that can be used for trace organic analysis. Fibers are coated with polymers that adsorb the constituent of interest. The sample is then removed from the fibers by heating at the injection port. SPME can be used to quantify smaller concentrations of analyte. The autosampler also has vortex mixing and heating elements, waste disposal and rinsing stations, and sample trays. The GC-2030 offers control over the chromatography process. There are three ionization modes in this system: electron impact, positive chemical ionization, and negative chemical ionization. Helium and methane are the carrier and chemical ionization gasses, respectively. The mass spectrometer can function as either a single or triple quadrupole system. The triple quadrupole system can be used to enhance selectivity.

Gas chromatography has been traditionally used to quantify the concentrations of volatile compounds. Samples should be free of salts and filtered on a 0.22 µm filter. Reference solutions are required for quantification of the analyte. First time users should search the literature for a method before scheduling their appointment. Below, you can find the consumables catalogs from Shimadzu.

The GC-MS comes equipped with a purge & trap system from EST Analytical. This system has a centurion autosampler and an encon EV concentrator. This system is designed to improve volatiles analysis. EST offers a soil analysis unit that can be added to our set up if required.

Location: Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, Suite 067, 2 East Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881.

Instrument Reservation: Contact coeanalytical@etal.uri.edu for instrument reservation.

Shimadzu consumables for GCMS: https://www.shimadzu.com/an/gc/column_consumable/feature8.html

Vials: https://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products/consumables/vials.html