Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy 17 Using Mass Spectrometry to Reveal the Thermal History of Recycled Polymers


BioChromato Inc has demonstrated how a Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis/Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (TDP/DART-MS) analysis method can reveal the thermal history of recycled thermoplastic resins.


Recycling thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene is regarded as a vital step to help realise a more sustainable society. However, physical properties of thermoplastic resins such as strength and ability to elongate are known to degrade after repeated thermal reprocessing. It is there important to have analytical methods that can quickly and reliably reveal the thermal history of recycled polymers. Many traditional analytical techniques however fail to detect differences between virgin and recycled thermoplastic resins.


In this work, using an IonRocket sample introduction device, it was confirmed that TDP/DART-MS can be a useful way to evaluate thermal history, by using the antioxidants contained in thermoplastic resins as a ‘thermal history marker’.


The ionRocket from BioChromato is a temperature-heating device for direct thermal desorption and pyrolysis of samples, prior to ionisation and analysis by mass spectrometry. Using ionRocket a temperature gradient from ambient up to 600ºC can be achieved in just a few minutes. This enables the rmoplastic resins to be rapidly pyrolysed and then introduced into the DART-MS gas stream.


BioChromato has published a technical poster that shows how TDP/DART-MS, employing an ion-Rocket device, provides qualitative and quantitative information on changes in antioxidant additives incorporated into recycled polypropylene compared to virgin polymer pellets. This work shows the promise of TDP/DART-MS using an IonRocket device as a ‘go to’ analytical technique for analysing the longer- term durability of recycled polymers.


Read the technical poster: ilmt.co/PL/XZ1p More information online: ilmt.co/PL/9zjA


New Mass Spec Solution Simplifies Analysis of Macromolecular Complexes


An innovative mass spectrometry solution from Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides proteomics and biopharmaceutical laboratories, working in drug discovery and R&D applications, the ability to clearly decipher complex mixtures of large macromolecules.


The Thermo Scientific Direct Mass Technology mode augments Thermo Scientific Q Exactive UHMR Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometers with charge detection capabilities, allowing direct mass determination of hundreds to thousands of individual ions in a single spectrum. As a result, laboratories can measure mass for complex heterogeneous mixtures of multiple charged components, unlocking new and rich insights into proteoforms, biotherapeutics and next-generation drug modalities.


“Direct Mass Technology mode combines charge detection with our trusted high-resolution accurate mass Orbitrap measurements to achieve results unattainable by current ensemble measurement techniques,” said Iain Mylchreest, Vice President, Research and Development, Analytical Instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “By dissolving the complexity barriers inherent to other approaches, we’re enabling a wealth of investigations that were once firmly out of reach - from resolving heavily modified proteoforms to revealing small changes in large antibody-drug conjugate complexes, to name but a few.”


Neil Kelleher, Director, Northwestern Proteomics & the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, said: “The differences seen when moving from traditional mass spectrometry to this game-changing direct mass technology are profound. We’ve gone from having no data or uninterpretable data to having rich spectra laying bare proteoform complexity. With such solutions, we no longer need to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the human proteome. This technology makes clear that, ultimately, we can build tools that match the complexity and scale of our biology.”


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/x9K1 and ilmt.co/PL/Lyve 58057pr@reply-direct.com 57818pr@reply-direct.com


New Capabilities for Advanced Benchtop NMR Spectrometer Workflows


Oxford Instruments has launched the all-new X-Pulse benchtop broadband NMR spectrometer with X-Auto, an automatic sample changer. Newly added X-Pulse functionalities significantly increase ease of use, throughput and remote working capability while further reducing ongoing costs. This has been achieved by removing any need for deuterated solvents using novel external signal frequency lock technology, adding automated software switching between nuclei, improvements in sensitivity, and unattended sample exchange. Continuous flow monitoring and advanced sample temperature control are coupled with the only true broadband nuclei selection to address a diverse range of analytical chemistry needs across industries, from batteries to pharmaceuticals. The unique modular architecture makes this new X-Pulse fully configurable and a highly cost-effective investment for core science, advanced analytical research, quality control optimisation, and teaching.


The combination of the new X-Auto sample changer, which allows up to 25 samples to be preloaded, and new functionality in the SpinFlow 3.1 software, ensures that users can add individual experiments or long queues to each sample with a few simple clicks. By reordering experimental queues, short duration experiments can be prioritised on all samples to quickly determine the value of continuing with longer queued experiments, maximising efficiency. Through a remote connection to the instrument, all pre-loaded samples can be changed, and new experiments added or tailored to the user’s analysis requirements. This minimises time with the instrument and maximises remote working productivity. Automated software switching between chemical nuclei is particularly advantageous for applications requiring the selection of a wide range of NMR active nuclei, including those in the battery, polymer and fine chemical markets.


Professor Philippe Wilson, Professor of One Health at Nottingham Trent University said: “Benchtop NMR is a core part of our point of care disease diagnostics research. This new X-Pulse with X-auto will massively accelerate our projects: no more sample prep, our post docs will run a days’ worth of samples unattended - even with automatic switching between the most important nuclei. Ultimately, the faster time to publication and more comprehensive data for our industrial collaborators will be so critical across my whole group.”


Dr Ian Wilcock, Managing Director Oxford Instruments Materials Analysis, added: “The new X-Pulse and X-Auto sample changer allows our customers to make a step change in throughput and efficiency of their research and process control, enhancing new remote and hybrid working patterns.”


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/VO66 57861pr@reply-direct.com


Advanced Langmuir Probes for Plasma Diagnostics


The Hiden ESPion Series are bolt on plasma process analysers designed for fast response, high sensitivity analysis of plasma parameters Equipped with ESPionSoft, Hiden’s multi-level software package, offering simple control of the ESPion system giving direct information relating to plasma stability and reproducibility. The software features automatic real-time extrapolation of plasma parameters giving detailed information on plasma properties. A wide range of plasma parameters are calculated including plasma potential, floating potential, electron temperature, electron energy distribution, ion density and ion flux. Measurements can be synched with an external plasma power supply for time resolved measurements in pulsed plasma research, such as HiPIMS.


ESPion systems are offered with a range of standard sampling options to suit a broad range of plasma applications, including, ECR, HiPIMS, Magnetron Discharge, Helicon Source, DC Glow Discharge, Pulsed Plasma and Laser ablation. Probes are supplied with Hiden’s innovative multi inductor chain for wide band RF Blocking. For high temperature applications, probes feature integral gas cooling. Software automated self-cleaning cycles to limit probe tip contamination. Optional upgrades include, flexible and articulated probes as well as fully automated z-drives for spatially resolved measurements. For pulsed deposition processes, time resolved measurements are offered to 50 ns time resolution.


The ESPion series are designed to offer a fully featured, flexible and powerful solution for the monitoring of parameters in all aspects of plasma analysis for characterisation and uniformity measuring. Download ESPion Brochure: ilmt.co/PL/6zoZ More information online: ilmt.co/PL/9zv6


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