An improved technique for transferring fractions from a gas chromatograph to a mass spectrometer

Abstract

A simple technique is outlined for the collection, storage and mass-spectrometric analysis of small amounts of volatile components separated by a gas-liquid chromatograph. Mass spectra obtained with an A.E.I. MS10c2 mass spectrometer are shown, indicating a collection efficiency of about 95 per cent. A useful modification to the inlet system of the mass spectrometer for the analysis of small samples is described, giving a sensitivity increase of up to thirty times the standard inlet sensitivity. This is demonstrated by a mass spectrum of 0·005 µl (3·5 µg) of hexane collected from a chromatograph. A maximum working sensitivity for the system is about 0·1 µg.