TOF-MS for Fast GC and GCXGC: A Breakthrough in Mass Spectrometry and Fast Acquisition Rate

摘要

Nowadays in the analytical field, demands in terms of analysis speed and higher separation power are continuously increasing. These trends have been successfully addressed in Gas Chromatography (GC) in the last decades, through continuous developments in both Fast GC and comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCXGC). However, when positive identifications are required, Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS) is the technology capable of providing high speed acquisition rate to collect sufficient information for reliable peak reconstruction. Various experimental approaches have been investigated to reduce the analysis time in GC. Among these are the use of multicapillary columns with more than 900 capillaries (40 (mu)m I.D.) [1], micro particle packed columns [2], vacuum outlet conditions [3], and capillary columns with reduced internal diameter and film thickness [4].