First & Only GC-HRMS with simultaneous EI and CI

ecTOF

Absolute confidence for the identification of unknowns with less time and effort in suspect and non-target GC/MS

Dual ionization GC-HRMS with simultaneous EI and CI

All in a single run
Both NIST-searchable fragment data (EI) and molecular ion information (CI) perfectly aligned in one chromatographic run
Speed up
Acceleration of analysis and post-processing time plus optimized instrument uptime 
Get it right
Reduction of  potential candidate numbers and false positives by highly confident compound identification
Features

Unmatched Combination of EI and CI Performance

The ecTOF is the world’s first GC-HRMS with simultaneous acquisi­tion of EI (Electron Ionization) and CI (Chemical Ionization) accurate spectral information in a single GC run.

While maintaining EI as the gold-standard GC/MS ionization method, the ecTOF operates within the same GC run CI as a second ionization source providing additional molecular ion information.

The novel CI sources is  based on a helical resonator plasma (HRP) and offers optimized control of the analyte ionization processes, a high sensitivity as well as long maintenance cycles. Four different CI reactants can be used without hardware changes for optimizing the ionization process for a wide range of compound classes.

The high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) offers full mass spectral information at high resolution, accuracy and speed. This makes the ecTOF the ideal instrumental setup for compound identification based on GC/MS.

Simplify & enhance high certainty compound identification

  • First & only GC-HRMS using simultaneous EI and CI for efficient generation of NIST compatible fragment and molecular ion information
  • Novel, low maintenance medium pressure HRP CI source
  • Four CI reactants included via permeation tubes (N2H+, H3O+, H(H2O)n+, NH4+) with automated reactant switching
  • Seamless data post-processing of perfectly aligned EI and CI data

 

The simultaneous EI and Soft-Ionization revolutionizes NTS analysis workflows and the identification of unknowns. It is a real game-changer for any GC-MS based non-target applications.

Dr. Thomas Letzel, CEO of AFIN-TS, Germany

Benefits

Removing Current Barriers for GC/MS based Unknown Identification

Conventional GC/MS setups using EI  fragment data alone suffer from ambiguous identification of unknowns in NIST library searches due to low fragmentation-specificity, missing molecular ion signals or even compound absence in reference libraries.

To increase compound identification certainty the addition of molecular ion information is required. In common instruments, mechanical ion source switching and additional GC runs with instrument performance risks, complicated data alignment and time loss are needed.

The integrated CI source of the ecTOF adds the indispensable value of the accurate molecular mass and elemental composition determination in the very same GC run to the EI fragment data. This boosts unknown compound identification yields and certainties.

Principle of operation of the GC-ecTOF

All the confidence and speed you need: The ecTOF is a true game changer in GC-based non-target analysis. 

  • Unsurpassed level of confidence for the identification of unknowns and reduction of false positives 
  • Simple, easy-to-use: no hardware changes, no subsequent cumbersome data alignment and no need for multiple runs with either EI or CI and mechanical switching of the ion sources
  • Perfect and straight alignment of EI and CI peaks for the same compound in a single GC run. Complex data alignment procedures are no longer necessary.
  • High sample throughput for (statistical) non-target studies
  • Broad CI reagent selectivity (N2H+, H3O+, H(H2O)n+ and NH4+) with automated reactant switching  to maxime the ionization flexibility for  the widest range of compounds and plasma based “zero maintenance” CI source highly avoids signal intensity losses and source contamination (no electrode or filament wear and tear)
  • No issues with downtime due to mechanical work, instrument damage or maintenance
  • Green Chemistry: less consumables (solvents, carrier gases, columns etc), reduced power consumption, H2 carrier gas compatibility
Applications

Multidimensional analysis for target, non-target and suspect applications

The ecTOF covers a crucial role for suspect and non-target GC/MS analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. It greatly improves the identification confidence of unknown compounds, especially in complex samples and when no standards are available. Consequently, the ecTOF is used in a broad range of application areas:

  • Environmental monitoring & research: wastewater and soil analysis, PFAS, air monitoring, textile emissions
  • Food, flavor & fragrance: authentication, vegan food, flavor profiles, food quality
  • Chemicals, fuels, batteries: monitoring of industrial processes and product optimization
  • Pharma discovery  and metabolomics studies

Our team is happy to discuss your specific applications and provide more insight on how the ecTOF can benefit your lab:

The ecTOF provides an exciting and elegant solution for the simultaneous direct detection and detailed speciation of ambient VOCs.

Megan Claflin, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Aerodyne Research, USA

Talk to our experts!

Our expert team is here to assist you with any questions about the ecTOF, including its features and possible applications. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you promptly.

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Thank you for your interest in our new ecTOF. Our team will contact you shortly.

Your Bruker Team

       

For Research Use Only. Not for Use in Clinical Diagnostic Procedures.