Thermo Scientific™ Q Exactive™ GC Orbitrap™ GC-MS/MS
This instrument is a high-resolution/accurate-mass (HRAM) mass spectrometer capable of both electron impact and chemical ionization methods. It is used for targeted analyses our large suite of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in a range of sampling matrices and for developing non-targeted methods. The tandem mass spec (MS/MS) capabilities, paired with accurate mass analysis, allow for increased confidence in unknown identifications. This instrument was purchased with a Major Research Instrumentation grant from the National Science Foundation (CBET-1828257). If you are interested in using this instrument for research, please contact Dr. Nick Herkert (Nicholas.Herkert@duke.edu) to inquire about access.
Thermo Scientific™ Exactive™ GC Orbitrap™ GC-MS
This instrument is a high-resolution/accurate-mass (HRAM) mass spectrometer capable of both electron impact and chemical ionization methods. It is primarily operated in negative chemical ionization mode and used for targeted analysis of high molecular weight brominated flame retardants. A dedicated instrument for this type of analysis ensures accurate and reliability analysis of these important compounds. Additionally, this instrument complements existing non-targeted analytical methods for identification of unknown compounds using accurate mass analysis and fragmentation patterns.
Thermo Scientific™ Exploris™ GC Orbitrap™ GC-MS
This instrument is a high-resolution/accurate-mass (HRAM) mass spectrometer capable of both electron impact and chemical ionization methods. It is primarily operated in positive chemical ionization and used for targeted analysis of volatile per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) precursors. This instrument provides the utmost confidence in compound discovery, identification, and quantitation.
LCMS/MS
Agilent Liquid Chromatograph (Model 1260) Tandem Mass Spectrometer (Model 6460). This instrument is used to analyze sample extracts for more polar analytes, including urinary metabolites of organophosphate flame retardants. We also use this instrument to monitor and quantify phenolic contaminants, hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (e.g. OH-BDEs), perfluorinated carboxylic acids (e.g. PFOA), perfluorinated sulfonic acids (e.g. PFOS), and thyroid hormones (e.g. T4, T3 and rT3) in a variety of sample matrices.
GCMS-EI
Agilent Gas Chromatograph (Model 7890A) Mass Spectrometer (Model 5975C) dedicated to electron impact ionization methods (GC/EI-MS). This instrument is one of our work horses in our laboratory, dedicated to the analysis of sample extracts for a large suite of semi-volatile organic compounds, including organophosphate flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and phthalates.
GCMS-CI
Agilent Gas Chromatograph (Model 6890N) Mass Spectrometer (Model 5975) dedicated to chemical ionization methods (GC/ECNI-MS). This instrument is another one of our work horses, and is dedicated to the analysis of sample extracts for brominated flame retardants (e.g. PBDEs) and fluorotelomer alcohols (i.e. FTOHs).