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Flow-modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry: use of hydrogen as a more sustainable alternative to helium

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Abstract

The present research is focused on the use and evaluation of hydrogen, as a more sustainable alternative to helium, within the context of fast flow modulation comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In such a respect, a comparison was made between the two mobile phases in terms of speed and overall chromatography performance. All experiments were carried out by using the following column set: low polarity with dimensions 10 m × 0.25 mm ID × 0.25 µm df and medium polarity with dimensions 2 m × 0.10 mm ID × 0.10 µm df. Fundamental gas chromatography parameters (efficiency, resolution) were measured under different experimental conditions, using the two carrier gases. Efficiency was measured in both the first and second dimensions, using a probe compound under isothermal conditions; after defining the optimum carrier gas conditions, a mixture containing 20 pesticides was analyzed to measure resolution, again in the first and second dimensions, using a temperature program. It was found (as expected) that a similar chromatography performance could be attained when using hydrogen, albeit with a circa 25% reduction in analysis time. Signal-to-noise ratios of the pesticides were calculated, using both carrier gases, with such values generally reduced (on average by 14%) when using hydrogen. Finally, a comparison was made between mass spectral profiles obtained analyzing the pesticides and fatty acid methyl esters using the two mobile phases. Even though mass spectral differences were observed, the ion profiles could be considered generally similar.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank LECO Corporation and Merck Life Science for their continuous support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Micaela Galletta, Luigi Mondello & Peter Q. Tranchida

  2. Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Mariosimone Zoccali

  3. LECO European Application and Technology Center (EATC), Berlin, Germany

    Nick Jones

  4. Chromaleont S.R.L, c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Luigi Mondello

  5. Department of Sciences and Technologies for Human and Environment, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Luigi Mondello

Authors
  1. Micaela Galletta
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  2. Mariosimone Zoccali
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  3. Nick Jones
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  4. Luigi Mondello
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  5. Peter Q. Tranchida
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Correspondence to Mariosimone Zoccali.

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The authors declare no competing interests. The author Luigi Mondello is an editor of this journal but was not involved in the peer review of this article.

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Published in the topical collection featuring Sustainability in (Bio-)Analytical Chemistry.

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Galletta, M., Zoccali, M., Jones, N. et al. Flow-modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry: use of hydrogen as a more sustainable alternative to helium. Anal Bioanal Chem 414, 6371–6378 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-022-04086-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-022-04086-4

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