JEOL Resourceshttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-DownloadsRapid Detection and Exact Mass Measurements of Trace Components in an Herbicidehttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-Downloads/rapid-detection-and-exact-mass-measurements-of-trace-components-in-an-herbicideMass Spectrometry (MS)Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:32:16 GMTAnalytical chemists are often asked to identify trace components in manufactured compounds such as drugs, consumer products, and agricultural chemicals. A common approach to the identification of minor components is to use gas or liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Although this approach is effective, it may be time consuming and difficult to set up. The AccuTOF with Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) provides a rapid solution. The high dynamic range of both source and detector permit the determination of minor components in the presence of a major component. The AccuTOF always provides high resolution data with exact mass measurements and accurate isotope ratios that can provide elemental composition assignments for unknown compounds.<p>In this example, a few dust particles from a sample of atrazine herbicide containing 1% propazine and 0.2% simazine were deposited on a glass rod and placed in front of the DART. The mass spectrum shown below was measured in seconds. All three components were detected with good signal-to-noise and excellent mass accuracy and isotopic abundances.</p> Instantaneous Detection of Explosives on Clothinghttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-Downloads/instantaneous-detection-of-explosives-on-clothingMass Spectrometry (MS)Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:24:54 GMTThe detection of explosives is of vital importance in forensic applications and in preventing criminal or terrorist activity. The analytical detection of explosives on surfaces is normally done by using solvent extractions or wipes and chromatography or chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. This is inefficient because solvent extractions and wipes only result in a partial transfer of material from the surface into the sampling material. Furthermore, the chromatographic analysis can be time-consuming and requires the use of disposable solvents (an environmental concern). The JEOL AccuTOF™ with Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) has demonstrated the capability to detect both volatile and involatile explosives on surfaces such as plastic, cloth, concrete, glass, cardboard, metal, and more. No wipes or solvent extractions are required. The method is instantaneous, environmentally friendly, and does not require solvents. An example is shown in this application note.<p>A construction company has been recently conducting blasting to remove boulders near our offices. One of our employees happened to walk through the edge of the plume from the blasting when he arrived for work in the morning. At the end of the day, more than eight hours later, we tested him for exposure to explosives. By placing the employee’s necktie in front of the DART we could easily detect nitroglycerin, as shown in Figure 1 (below). It was not necessary to take the tie off to perform the analysis.</p> Detection of the Peroxide Explosives TATP and HMTDhttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-Downloads/detection-of-the-peroxide-explosives-tatp-and-hmtdMass Spectrometry (MS)Sun, 23 Feb 2020 15:53:24 GMTThe explosive peroxide compounds triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylenetriperoxide diamine (HMTD) are difficult to detect by conventional mass spectrometry methods. These compounds can be easily detected by the Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) ion source.<h3>Experimental</h3> <p>Measurements were made with the AccuTOF-DART mass spectrometer operated in positive-ion mode under standard conditions. Little or no heat was required to observe these compounds. Dilute solutions of standard samples of TATP and HMTD were analyzed by dipping melting point tubes into the liquid and dangling the melting point tubes in the DART ion source. Dilute aqueous ammonium hydroxide on a cotton swab was held in the DART gas stream to enhance detection of TATP as the ammoniated molecule.</p> Detection of Explosives in Muddy Waterhttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-Downloads/detection-of-explosives-in-muddy-waterMass Spectrometry (MS)Sun, 23 Feb 2020 15:28:57 GMTThe AccuTOF time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) has been used to detect a wide variety of explosives in or on a variety of materials ranging from solutions to samples deposited on surfaces ranging from ABS plastic to metal, clothing and cardboard. Detection is rapid, specific, and sensitive.<p>To demonstrate DART’s ability to detect explosives in a “messy” sample, we took a sample of muddy water from a frog pond in the woods near our laboratory. The water was spiked with 3 ppm of an explosives mixture, mixed and allowed to stand. A glass rod was dipped into the spiked water solution and then placed between the DART and the first orifice of the AccuTOF atmospheric pressure interface. An aqueous solution of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid was placed under the glass rod to permit the formation of trifluoroacetate adducts for HMS and RDX. The results are shown in the figure below. The total time for analysis was 20 to 30 seconds.</p> Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents on Surfaceshttps://www.jeolusa.com/RESOURCES/Analytical-Instruments/Documents-Downloads/detection-of-chemical-warfare-agents-on-surfacesMass Spectrometry (MS)Sun, 23 Feb 2020 15:25:12 GMTPlease see the following publication: “Versatile New Ion Source for the Analysis of Materials in Open Air under Ambient Conditions” Robert B. Cody, James A. Laramee and H. Dupont Durst, Analytical Chemistry 77 (8), 2297- 2302, 2005<h4>“<em>Versatile New Ion Source for the Analysis of Materials in Open Air under Ambient Conditions</em>”</h4> <p>Robert B. Cody, James A. Laramee and H. Dupont Durst, Analytical Chemistry 77 (8), 2297-<br /> 2302, 2005</p>