Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy

What is GC-MS?

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) is used to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds within a sample. It works by breaking down samples into their components, separating them in a heated column, and analyzing each component with a mass spectrometer. This is especially useful for deformulation of polymers, material characterization, and contaminant identification.  FAI Offers GC-MS with three sampling techniques: Pyrolysis, Dynamic (or Static) Headspace, and traditional Liquid Injection.

Equipment

FAI operates two Gas Chromatographs coupled with Mass Spectroscopy. We have three autosamplers:

• Liquid Autosampler

• Teledyne Tekmar HT3 Static and Dynamic Headspace Autosampler with a maximum temperature of 300°C

• CDS Analytical Pyroprobe 2000 Pyrolysis Autosampler capable of heating samples up to 1,400°C

FAI also has access to extensive mass spectra libraries for confident compound identification.

Samples

We test both solid and liquid samples. The solid samples are prepared in quartz rods for Pyrolysis GC-MS or 20mL Headspace vials for Dynamic Headspace Concentration GC-MS. The liquid samples are prepared in 2mL vials.

Results

FAI provides mass spectra data as well as chromatograms for complete chemical material characterization.

Related Services: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDXS)