Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 30th March 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, brochure by Shimadzu and presentation by MDCW / LECO!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Extraction and Analysis of Pesticides from Water by Solid Phase Extraction and GC/MS</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_extraction_analysis_pesticides_water_gcms_5994_8996en_agilent_28fc35d0e7.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Drinking water is defined as water intended for human consumption obtained from different sources. Several guidelines/regulations exist for ensuring that undesirable substances such as pesticides are not present in excessive amounts that may be harmful to human health. These regulations ensure that water intended for human consumption can be consumed safely. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set regulatory limits for residual pesticides in drinking water (IS 10500)1 , packaged drinking water (IS 14543)2 , and natural mineral water (IS 13428).3 A total of 26 pesticides are regulated by BIS standards, of which four compounds (monocrotophos, phorate, 2,4-D, and isoproturon) are more suitable for analysis by liquid chromatography.&nbsp;EPA Method 525.2 is a general-purpose method for determination of organic compounds in finished drinking water or water from any source or treatment stage.4 This method is applicable to a range of organic compounds that are partitioned from the water sample onto a C18 organic phase packed in a disk or cartridge. The organic compounds are then eluted using a suitable eluent, concentrated, and analyzed by GC/MS.&nbsp;This application note describes the use of EPA Method 525.2 for extraction of pesticide residues at trace levels in water using solid-phase extraction (Agilent Bond Elut C18: Straight barrel cartridges, p/n 12102118) and analysis using Agilent 8890-5977 GC/MS.&nbsp;Excellent linearity with R2 &gt; 0.995 was obtained for all pesticides considered for the study. Recoveries were obtained in the range of 80–120% with associated RSDs &lt; 15% at 0.005–0.080 ng/mL level of fortification.<h4>Experimental</h4><h5>Instrument parameters</h5><ul><li>GC: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=8890">Agilent 8890</a></li><li>Column: Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=J%26W+HP-5ms">J&amp;W HP-5ms</a> UI 30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 μm&nbsp;</li><li>Carrier Gas: Helium, constant flow, 1.2 mL/min&nbsp;</li><li>Inlet: Agilent Multimode Inlet (MMI)</li><li>MS: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=5977">5977 GC/MS</a></li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>A simple, easy, and efficient method based on EPA 525.2 was implemented for the determination of 22 pesticides in water. The method demonstrated good sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, and allows for rapid analysis. The results demonstrate that pesticide residues can be detected below the current maximum residue levels (MRL) required by the BIS specifications. Acceptable recoveries and precision were obtained at concentrations as low as 5 ng/L for all pesticides. The method is ideally suited for use in a regulatory laboratory for the determination of pesticides in surface, drinking, and packaged drinking water.<h3>2. MDCW / LECO: Exploring PFAS in Consumer Goods Using GCxGC and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry</h3><ul><li>Presentation</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/O_3_Alonso_6f61e3ea43.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in consumer and industrial products due to their unique physicochemical properties, but their persistence and potential health risks have made their detection increasingly important. This study focuses on developing an untargeted analytical approach for screening PFAS and related compounds in consumer goods using advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques.The analytical workflow combines gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution TOFMS (GC×GC-HRTOFMS), using systems such as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1097">LECO Pegasus® BTX </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/38">Pegasus® HRT+</a> platforms. Sample introduction is performed via thermal desorption or pyrolysis, enabling analysis of both volatile and complex matrices. High-resolution MS provides accurate mass measurements and elemental composition, which are essential for identifying unknown compounds and reducing matrix interferences.In the first case study, anti-fog solutions were analyzed and found to contain a wide range of compounds, including fluorotelomer alcohols and related PFAS species. While GC-TOFMS enabled initial screening, high-resolution TOFMS was necessary to characterize unknown compounds through accurate mass determination and complementary ionization techniques (EI and PCI). This approach allowed tentative structural assignment using external databases, demonstrating the importance of HRMS in identifying compounds not present in standard libraries.The second case study focused on chewing gum, a highly complex matrix with diverse chemical constituents and trace-level analytes. The use of GC×GC-HRTOFMS significantly improved chromatographic separation and spectral clarity, enabling detailed profiling of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. A dedicated PFAS screening workflow based on mass defect analysis and spectral filtering was applied, leveraging the characteristic CF₂ patterns of PFAS molecules to simplify data interpretation.Despite the complexity of the sample, no PFAS were detected in the chewing gum, its packaging, or the box. Overall, the study demonstrates that combining GC×GC separation, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and advanced data processing tools provides a powerful and reliable strategy for untargeted PFAS screening in complex consumer products, particularly when unknown or emerging contaminants are of concern.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Gas Chromatograph Nexis GC-2060</h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/c184_e056_06c3456516.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The Shimadzu <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2060">Nexis GC-2060</a> represents a new generation of gas chromatographs, built on over 70 years of GC development and designed to serve as a flexible and future-proof analytical platform. It integrates the concept of Analytical Intelligence, which enables automated system monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization, helping both experienced and less experienced users achieve reliable and consistent results. The system is highly configurable, supporting up to two injectors, three injection units, and four detectors simultaneously, allowing a single instrument to cover multiple analytical applications.A key advantage of the Nexis GC-2060 is its versatility in sample introduction and detection. The Multi-Mode Injection Unit (MMI) supports a wide range of injection techniques, including split/splitless, PTV, direct injection, large-volume injection (LVI), and thermal desorption, significantly reducing the need for complex sample preparation. The system is also equipped with next-generation detectors such as FID and TCD, offering high sensitivity, stability, and linearity, with additional detector options (ECD, FPD, FTD, BID) enabling broad application coverage.The instrument is designed to maximize laboratory efficiency and minimize downtime. Features such as tool-free column installation (ClickTek), automated startup/shutdown, Easy sTop maintenance mode, and Clean Pilot for automated column conditioning simplify routine operation and reduce manual intervention. In addition, Eco Idling technology automatically optimizes gas and power consumption during standby, significantly lowering operational costs while maintaining readiness for analysis.From an analytical performance perspective, the Nexis GC-2060 delivers excellent reproducibility and sensitivity, supported by advanced autosamplers (e.g., AOC-30) and compatibility with third-party systems. The platform supports hydrogen carrier gas for faster analysis and includes smart gas management features such as automatic gas switching. Its modular design allows seamless integration with various sample preparation systems, autosamplers, and detectors, ensuring adaptability to evolving laboratory needs.Overall, the Nexis GC-2060 combines high performance, operational efficiency, and flexibility in a single platform, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including pharmaceutical analysis, environmental testing, food analysis, and energy-related measurements. Its scalability and continuous software updates ensure long-term usability and alignment with future analytical requirements.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Accurate multi-component blast furnace gas analysis maximizes iron production and minimizes coke consumption</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/epm_AN_Iron_Production_Prima_PRO_bd5de98b44.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Over a billion tonnes of iron a year are produced in blast furnaces, representing around 94% of global iron production¹. The blast furnace consists of a large steel stack, lined with refractory brick. Iron ore, coke and limestone are dropped into the top of the furnace and preheated air blown into the bottom through nozzles called ‘Tuyeres’. Iron oxides are reduced in the melting zone, or ‘Bosh’, forming liquid iron (called ‘hot metal’) and liquid slag. These liquid products are drained from the furnace at regular intervals, and the blast furnace will run continuously for several years, until the refractory lining needs replacing.Analysis of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) give vital information on the efficiency of the reduction processes. Historically, two non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzers were used, one to measure CO, the other CO₂. Additional discrete analyzers were required to monitor oxygen and hydrogen – typically paramagnetic O₂ analyzers and thermal conductivity analyzers for H₂.&nbsp;Thermo Scientific™ process mass spectrometers have been widely used for many years for key gas analysis applications in iron and steel plants, including blast furnace, basic oxygen steelmaking, coke oven gas analysis, secondary steel process control, fuel gas analysis and direct reduction iron processes²<h4>Process control requirements&nbsp;</h4>The advantages of process MS over conventional analysis techniques have been proven over many years in the iron and steel industry. The ability to measure a wide range of components on a single analyzer, coupled with advanced calibration, data transmission, and self-diagnostic software, makes the modern mass spectrometer ideal for integration into the modern plant. On blast furnaces, superior gas analysis is being used to calculate gas efficiency, mass and heat balances, and heat profiles through probe analysis, as well as being an essential tool in the early detection of cooling water leaks and sample system failures.&nbsp;Figure 2 shows 64 hours of data from a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2305">Thermo Scientific™ Prima™ PRO Process MS</a> monitoring the six gases in a blast furnace top gas every 10 seconds. The pulse every 12 hours is generated by an automatic nitrogen blowback from the sample conditioning system, to keep the sample probe clear of particulates.<h4>Hydrogen analysis&nbsp;</h4>An increase in the hydrogen level in the furnace can indicate a leak from the furnace cooling system, as water dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen in the furnace. This has implications both for plant efficiency and plant safety. Water leaks will lower the furnace temperature, causing heat loss and a consequent increase in fuel consumption. In extreme cases, damage to plant and personnel can be caused by ignition of these hazardous mixtures of explosive gases.&nbsp;Figure 4 shows a plot of top gas hydrogen concentration measured by Thermo Scientific process MS over a 24-hour period, with the departure of the measured H2 value from that predicted by the mass balance model indicating a water leak. This leak was caused by the failure of a cooling member, and the furnace was taken off blast for repair. The mass spectrometer’s ability to provide fast, accurate hydrogen analysis removes the need for an additional discrete analyzer.&nbsp;Gas composition measurement is particularly important during the end-of-campaign blowdown that takes place prior to rebuilds and relines, because explosive gas mixtures can be generated.&nbsp;<h4>Probe analysis&nbsp;</h4>The fast analysis provided by MS offers another significant advantage over discrete analyzers—a number of process streams can be analyzed using a single instrument. This is achieved using a fully automated multi-inlet system, designed to switch between sample streams at high speeds with minimal sample flushing times. For example, as well as furnace top gas, the MS can also analyze gases from probes placed above and below the burden (the furnace charge of iron ore, coke and limestone). These are known as above-burden and sub-burden probes and provide valuable information on fuel efficiency, iron conversion and furnace charging. Figure 5 shows a schematic of these two probes; they can be moved across the furnace to build a cross-sectional profile of the furnace.<h4>Summary&nbsp;</h4>Thermo Scientific process mass spectrometers have been successfully monitoring blast furnace off gas at many of the world’s iron and steel companies for over 30 years. For a blast furnace producing 5,000 tonnes a day, a reduction in coke consumption of just 10 kg per tonne of iron produced provides a payback of over $10,000 a day. Users report that the combination of fast, accurate MS gas analysis for gas efficiency, heat and mass balances and hydrogen analysis, with advanced process control and mathematical modeling, has reduced coke consumption by up to 100 kg per tonne and increased iron production. Upgrading to Prima PRO MS can therefore result in complete installation payback within a few weeks.&nbsp;<ul><li>Reduces coke consumption&nbsp;</li><li>Produces consistent quality iron&nbsp;</li><li>Reduces downstream processing costs&nbsp;</li><li>Detects water leaks fast&nbsp;</li><li>Improves thermal control of furnace&nbsp;</li><li>Enables safer operation during blowdown</li></ul>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 14, 2026

Labs&nbsp;that rely on helium gas are&nbsp;facing a major crisis…unless they have LECO instruments.&nbsp;Due to the military conflict in the Middle East, Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City,&nbsp;the world’s largest helium production hub, providing one-third of the world’s helium,&nbsp;has&nbsp;shut down operations.&nbsp;To make matters worse,&nbsp;the Strait of Hormuz,&nbsp;the shipping lane used to&nbsp;export helium, has also been closed,&nbsp;meaning&nbsp;even pre-filled helium containers are stuck&nbsp;with&nbsp;no&nbsp;viable&nbsp;route to customers.&nbsp;Naturally,&nbsp;the price&nbsp;of helium has now risen&nbsp;dramatically;&nbsp;most spot prices have doubled.&nbsp;A&nbsp;critical&nbsp;scarcity&nbsp;issue&nbsp;is looming as&nbsp;the world must now&nbsp;operate&nbsp;on&nbsp;roughly 5.2&nbsp;million cubic meters&nbsp;per&nbsp;month&nbsp;less of helium.&nbsp;<h3>Why Helium&nbsp;Cost and Supply&nbsp;Matters&nbsp;to Labs&nbsp;</h3>Although many people may recognize helium&nbsp;as the gas that fills party balloons,&nbsp;it&nbsp;plays a&nbsp;critical&nbsp;role in much&nbsp;more serious&nbsp;matters.&nbsp;Helium&nbsp;has&nbsp;unique properties, like an extremely low boiling point, inertness, and high thermal conductivity, which&nbsp;makes&nbsp;it indispensable in several high-tech applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, research labs&nbsp;may use helium as a&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;gas&nbsp;when performing&nbsp;elemental analyses or&nbsp;gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which is used&nbsp;to&nbsp;separate and&nbsp;identify&nbsp;chemical compounds in samples.&nbsp;But research labs&nbsp;are&nbsp;often&nbsp;government-funded and run under strict budgets,&nbsp;so&nbsp;the price hike&nbsp;on&nbsp;helium could&nbsp;mean labs have to&nbsp;pause&nbsp;their research until everything falls back&nbsp;under control,&nbsp;which could be months or longer.&nbsp;Even well-funded labs could suffer if the supply is simply too stretched to&nbsp;equip&nbsp;the lab with&nbsp;what&nbsp;they need, as medical uses are given top priority.&nbsp;This could have a serious impact on accuracy and compliance with regulated methods.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>The Consequences&nbsp;Reach Farther&nbsp;</h3>When helium becomes unavailable or prohibitively expensive, the ripple effects are immediate and far-reaching. It affects more than&nbsp;just&nbsp;balloons and research labs:&nbsp;<ul><li>Delayed Medical Diagnostics: MRI machines, which rely on helium to cool their superconducting magnets, may be taken offline, delaying critical scans.&nbsp;</li><li>Semiconductor Bottlenecks: Chip shortages could worsen,&nbsp;impacting&nbsp;everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and AI infrastructure.&nbsp;</li><li>Industrial Disruption: Welding, aerospace, and fiber optics manufacturing&nbsp;face rising costs and potential production halts.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>LECO’s Solution: Instruments That&nbsp;Don’t&nbsp;Rely on Helium&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>Amidst this pending&nbsp;crisis, LECO offers a practical and forward-thinking solution.&nbsp;This marks the 5th&nbsp;major helium supply crisis since 2006,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;likely there will be more after this. Helium&nbsp;supply is concentrated&nbsp;to&nbsp;just a few regions, meaning that any time there is a disruption to one of these, it can create a large effect on the industry.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;why we designed our innovative analytical instruments&nbsp;to&nbsp;operate&nbsp;using alternative carrier gases.&nbsp;&nbsp;Depending on the instrument, alternative gases&nbsp;such as nitrogen,&nbsp;argon,&nbsp;or hydrogen may be used in place of helium. These gases are&nbsp;abundant, cost-effective, and&nbsp;less prone&nbsp;to the geopolitical volatility that plagues helium supply chains.&nbsp;&nbsp;LECO’s helium-free&nbsp;options&nbsp;ensure that operations stay online, efficient, and future-proof&nbsp;in a world where helium is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.&nbsp;This flexibility is no longer a luxury—it’s&nbsp;a necessity.&nbsp;If your lab or facility is feeling the pressure of helium scarcity, now is the time to explore alternatives.&nbsp;This&nbsp;isn’t&nbsp;the first helium shortage, and it&nbsp;won’t&nbsp;be the last.&nbsp;Is your lab prepared?<h3>LECO Instruments Supporting Non-Helium Carrier Gases&nbsp;</h3><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/36">Pegasus BT</a> (Bench-Top GC–TOFMS, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/37">incl. BT 4D</a>)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Hydrogen</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: Supports H₂ as GC carrier with a retrofit kit for safety. Performance on hydrogen is on par with helium – the Pegasus BT series meets its full sensitivity specs with either gas.</li><li>App Note: “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/PEGBT_TEA_TREE_ESSENTIAL_OIL_HYDROGEN_CARRIER_GAS_203_821_651_95c7a05807/PEGBT_TEA_TREE_ESSENTIAL_OIL_HYDROGEN_CARRIER_GAS_203-821-651.pdf">A Rapid, Robust and Sensitive Analysis of Tea Tree Essential Oil Quality by GC-TOFMS with Hydrogen as Carrier Gas</a>”</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_Pegasus_BT_2_bc8a8d0505.jpg" alt="LECO: Pegasus BT" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_Pegasus_BT_2_bc8a8d0505.jpg 238w," sizes="100vw" width="932" height="612"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1097">Pegasus BTX</a> (Next-gen BT, incl. BTX 4D)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Hydrogen</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: Designed for seamless helium-to-hydrogen use. The Pegasus BTX series maintains trace-level sensitivity with either helium or hydrogen carrier gas, a rare capability in GC–MS. No hardware changes needed beyond standard setup.&nbsp;</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/PEGBTX_GINGER_OIL_HYDROGEN_CARRIER_GAS_203_821_694_1685d36546.pdf">“Ginger Oil Analysis and Grade Differentiation with Pegasus BTX Using Hydrogen Carrier Gas”</a></li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_LECO_PEGASUS_BTX_GC_TOFMS_cover_image_34704e689d.jpg" alt="LECO: Pegasus BTX" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_LECO_PEGASUS_BTX_GC_TOFMS_cover_image_34704e689d.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="416" height="276"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/38">Pegasus&nbsp;HRT</a>&nbsp;(High-Resolution TOF-MS,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/39"> incl. 4D</a>)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Hydrogen</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: High-resolution GC–TOFMS systems support H₂ as a carrier gas as well as He.&nbsp;Note:&nbsp;Strict safety protocols apply due to&nbsp;hydrogen’s&nbsp;flammability. Hydrogen use is not recommended in instruments/configurations where gas could accumulate (e.g.&nbsp;very long, vertical&nbsp;flight tubes), but LECO’s HRT instruments&nbsp;utilize&nbsp;Folded Flight Path technology, which&nbsp;eliminates&nbsp;this concern.&nbsp;</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/GC_MS_Analysis_Hydrogen_Carrier_Gas_MMS_Ion_Source_HRT_G_Cx_GC_TOFMS_SA_ASMS_23_LPSS_310_6247a1baaf/GC-MS_Analysis_Hydrogen_Carrier_Gas_MMS_Ion_Source_HRT-GCxGC-TOFMS_SA_ASMS23_LPSS-310.pdf">“GC–MS Analysis with Hydrogen Carrier Gas on GC×GC-HRTOFMS (MMS Ion Source)”</a></li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_Pegasus_GC_HRT_831fcb6d1e.jpg" alt="LECO: Pegasus&nbsp;HRT" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_Pegasus_GC_HRT_831fcb6d1e.jpg 226w," sizes="100vw" width="3600" height="2487"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1884">LECO 828 Series</a> (Nitrogen/Protein/Carbon/Hydrogen)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Argon&nbsp;</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: The LECO 828 Series&nbsp;supports&nbsp;argon as an alternative&nbsp;carrier gas&nbsp;to helium. Helium provides higher TCD sensitivity (important for low-N samples),&nbsp;whereas&nbsp;argon operation raises the nitrogen detection limit and slightly reduces low-range precision. Switching gas type simply requires updating the method and flow settings (no hardware change&nbsp;required).</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/documents/203-821-665/?_gl=1*1d6stb6*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMwMjg4MTUxNC4xNzc2MTAzOTU0*_ga_K8NYKVEKHY*czE3NzYxMDM5NTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxMDM5NTQkajYwJGwwJGg0NTY2NjUwNjk.*_ga_KRDSR1XM7X*czE3NzYxMDM5NTQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxMDM5NTQkajYwJGwwJGgw">“Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Biomass using CHN828”</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_rada_828_Makroanalyza_spalovanim_pro_analyzator_uhliku_vodiku_dusiku_a_bilkovin_e86acd897e.jpg" alt="LECO 828 Series" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_rada_828_Makroanalyza_spalovanim_pro_analyzator_uhliku_vodiku_dusiku_a_bilkovin_e86acd897e.jpg 137w," sizes="100vw" width="454" height="516"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1885">LECO 928 Series</a> (Nitrogen/Protein/Carbon/Sulfur)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Argon&nbsp;</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: The LECO&nbsp;928 Series&nbsp;also&nbsp;supports&nbsp;argon carrier gas as an alternative to helium. Helium use gives the best sensitivity and lowest detection limits for nitrogen, while argon use increases analysis time slightly and raises the nitrogen detection limit (due to the smaller thermal conductivity difference). The 928-series instruments have built-in&nbsp;settings for either gas; when switching, users adjust flow&nbsp;and select&nbsp;the appropriate carrier gas&nbsp;in the system settings. Users also have the option to select&nbsp;a larger aliquot loop&nbsp;in the analysis method&nbsp;to improve&nbsp;precision.&nbsp;</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CN_928_CN_CARBON_BLACK_GRAPHITE_203_821_684_c2224fa8be.pdf">“Determination of Carbon and Nitrogen in Carbon Black and Graphite”</a></li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_rada_928_Stanoveni_makrohodnot_pomoci_spalovani_3_74de99f8e5.jpg" alt="LECO 928 Series" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_rada_928_Stanoveni_makrohodnot_pomoci_spalovani_3_74de99f8e5.jpg 216w," sizes="100vw" width="711" height="513"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1880">736</a>/<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1882">836</a> Series&nbsp;(Inert Gas Fusion O2/N2&nbsp;/H2&nbsp;&nbsp;analyzers)</h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Helium or Argon&nbsp;</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: LECO’s inert gas fusion analyzers for oxygen and nitrogen in inorganic materials (e.g.&nbsp;models ON736, ON836) traditionally use helium as the carrier for the TCD measuring N2. These systems can run on argon as well, provided the appropriate He/Ar&nbsp;dual-purpose TCD is installed. Switching from He to&nbsp;Ar&nbsp;in these instruments is a one-time setup change;&nbsp;both gases are supported in the software (selectable “Gas Type” setting).&nbsp;When using argon, the furnace runs hotter&nbsp;and produces more soot, so maintenance (filter changes, cleaning)&nbsp;becomes more frequent.&nbsp;Low-level nitrogen precision is also slightly&nbsp;lessened&nbsp;with argon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ONH_836_O_N_H_IRON_STEEL_NICKEL_COBALT_ALLOYS_COMPARISON_203_821_601_3c9836f4b4.pdf">“Determination of Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen in Iron, Steel, Nickel-base, and Cobalt-base Alloys: Comparison of Analytical Performance Between Argon and Helium Carrier”&nbsp;</a></li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_rada_736_Analyza_kysliku_a_dusiku_roztavenim_vzorku_v_inertnim_plynu_3_0ec033bbbb.jpg" alt="LECO 736 Series" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_rada_736_Analyza_kysliku_a_dusiku_roztavenim_vzorku_v_inertnim_plynu_3_0ec033bbbb.jpg 151w," sizes="100vw" width="825" height="852"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_rada_836_Analyza_prvku_pro_detekci_kysliku_dusiku_a_vodiku_5_8011397ce6.jpg" alt="LECO 836 Series" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_rada_836_Analyza_prvku_pro_detekci_kysliku_dusiku_a_vodiku_5_8011397ce6.jpg 134w," sizes="100vw" width="657" height="764"><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1850">DH603&nbsp;Hydrogen Determinator</a></h4><ul><li>Supported Carrier Gases: Nitrogen (carrier), Helium (calibration gas)&nbsp;</li><li>Notes on Usage / Limitations: The DH603 measures diffusible and residual hydrogen in metals by hot extraction. It does&nbsp;not use helium as a carrier&nbsp;during analysis—instead&nbsp;it uses nitrogen as the purge/carrier gas in the TCD system. A small helium dose is used only for calibration and system checks (to introduce a known H2&nbsp;quantity via He-H2&nbsp;mix). In routine operation, the furnace is purged with N2&nbsp;and any hydrogen released from the sample is carried to a TCD that&nbsp;references against&nbsp;the nitrogen background. This design avoids flammable gas in the instrument entirely.&nbsp;</li><li>App Note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/DH_603_H_STEEL_SAMPLES_203_821_376_68e63cfea2.pdf">“Hydrogen Determination in Steel Samples Using DH603”&nbsp;</a></li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_DH_603_Stanoveni_zbytkoveho_a_difuzniho_vodiku_horkou_extrakci_d968c7c42b.jpg" alt="LECO: DH603&nbsp;Hydrogen Determinator" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_DH_603_Stanoveni_zbytkoveho_a_difuzniho_vodiku_horkou_extrakci_d968c7c42b.jpg 237w," sizes="100vw" width="1325" height="875">

As Helium Prices Rise and Supply Shrinks, LECO Customers Have Reliable Alternatives

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) plays a critical role in lithium-ion battery electrolytes, where solvent purity directly impacts performance, safety, and lifetime. Even trace-level impurities can contribute to degradation of solid electrolyte interfaces, consumption of lithium ions, or gas formation—effects that compromise both efficiency and safety.As battery materials continue to evolve, analytical approaches must provide both high sensitivity and high-confidence identification. A recent LECO application study demonstrates how combining two GC-MS platforms enables a more complete characterization of DMC impurities than either approach alone.<h3>Why Impurity Characterization in DMC Is Challenging</h3>Battery-grade solvents demand detection of contaminants across a wide concentration range, starting from major byproducts to trace-level species. In DMC, impurities may include oxygenated compounds, hydrocarbons, and nitriles, many of which arise from synthesis or handling processes.These compounds can co-elute or exist at levels below typical detection thresholds, making comprehensive analysis difficult with a single analytical technique. In addition, electron ionization (EI) spectra do not always provide a clear molecular ion, complicating compound confirmation.<h3>A Complementary Analytical Strategy: Sensitivity + Confidence</h3>The application note demonstrates a combined workflow using the approach:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1097">Pegasus BTX (GC-TOFMS)</a>&nbsp;for high-sensitivity detection</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/38">Pegasus HRT (high-resolution GC-MS)</a>&nbsp;for accurate mass confirmation</li></ul>The Pegasus BTX enables detection of impurities at below parts-per-billion levels, ensuring that even low-abundance analytes are captured.Following detection, the Pegasus HRT provides high-resolution, accurate mass data in both EI and positive chemical ionization (PCI) modes. PCI is particularly valuable when EI spectra lack a clear molecular ion, allowing confirmation through common adduct species such as protonated molecular ions [M+H]⁺.Because both ionization modes can be accessed without hardware changes, the workflow supports efficient, multi-dimensional confirmation of analyte identity.<h3>Observations</h3>Using this combined approach, multiple classes of impurities were identified in the DMC sample. These included:<ul><li>Oxygenated reaction byproducts</li><li>Alcohols, carbonates, and ethers</li><li>Hydrocarbons and aromatic species</li><li>Additional low-level analytes detected with high library match scores</li></ul>Importantly, the high sensitivity of the Pegasus BTX revealed a broader set of low-concentration compounds, while the Pegasus HRT increased confidence in compound identification through accurate mass measurements and confirmation of molecular formulas. &nbsp;The study also highlights cases where co-eluting compounds were successfully deconvoluted, allowing individual components to be identified even without complete chromatographic separation.<h3>Why This Matters for Battery Materials Analysis</h3>This work illustrates a key principle for advanced materials characterization: detection and identification are distinct challenges that often require complementary solutions.<ul><li>Detection alone&nbsp;is insufficient without confident identification</li><li>High-resolution confirmation&nbsp;is limited if low-level species are not first detected</li></ul>By combining these capabilities, laboratories can gain deeper insight into solvent purity, production processes, and potential performance risks in battery systems.<h3>Explore the Complete Study</h3>This short overview highlights only a portion of the findings. The full application note provides:<ul><li>Detailed acquisition parameters and workflows</li><li>Chromatographic and spectral data examples</li><li>Confirmed impurity lists with retention times and similarity scores</li><li>Examples demonstrating EI/PCI complementarity and accurate mass confirmation</li></ul>To better understand how complementary GC-MS techniques can improve confidence in battery solvent analysis, download the full application note: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/documents/203-821-731/">“Battery Solvent Characterization: Identifying Impurities in Dimethyl Carbonate”.</a>

 Confident Identification of Battery Solvent Impurities Using Complementary GC-MS Techniques

Microplastics have emerged as one of the most widely discussed environmental contaminants of our time. Regardless of where we live, daily exposure to microplastics has become virtually unavoidable—these tiny plastic particles are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the environments we inhabit. As researchers work to better understand the sources, transport pathways, and impacts of microplastics, the demand for reliable microplastic analysis methods continues to grow.While techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy have become standard tools for identifying microplastics, their utility is limited for smaller particles (i.e. nanoplastics) and in complex matrices. More advanced microplastic analysis methods can provide a deeper understanding of what these particles contain and how they may change over time in the environment.<div><h3>The Limits of Spectroscopic Microplastic Analysis Methods</h3>Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are widely used microplastic analysis methods because they can identify polymer types by measuring how electromagnetic radiation interacts with a material. These techniques are valuable for determining whether a particle is polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or another common plastic. For many studies, this information is sufficient to confirm the presence of microplastics, especially in clean samples with sufficient microplastic density.However, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/environmental/">environmental samples</a> are rarely clean and compositionally simple. Microplastic particles can become weathered and obscured by other materials in the environment, making their accurate identification with spectroscopy difficult. Additionally, if researchers want to understand what additives, degradation products, or pollutants are associated with the plastic, particle identification alone is not enough. Thus, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy methods alone struggle to thoroughly characterize these complex chemical components, particularly in challenging environmental matrices. As questions surrounding microplastic exposure become increasingly important, researchers require analytical techniques capable of examining the chemistry of a sample in greater detail, not simply confirming the presence of the physical particle itself.</div><div><h3>Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS For Deeper Microplastic Analysis</h3>Thermal Desorption (TD) and Pyrolysis (Py) coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/core-analysis/gc-and-gc-ms/">GCxGC-TOFMS</a>) offer a powerful alternative for investigating nano- and microplastics in complex samples. These techniques provide complementary information about sample composition.&nbsp;Thermal desorption releases volatile and adsorbed compounds, including environmental contaminants, degradation products, and VOCs associated with microplastic particles. This can reveal important information about chemicals present within or on the plastic.Pyrolysis thermally deconstructs the polymeric material, breaking it into GC-amenable characteristic degradation compounds. These compounds act as chemical markers that can be used to identify the various polymers present. When analyzing complex or heavily weathered microplastics that may be difficult to characterize using traditional spectroscopic techniques, pyrolysis is particularly advantageous.The most significant benefit comes from pairing these techniques with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Environmental samples often contain hundreds or even thousands of compounds that coelute in 1D GC-MS, making it difficult or impossible to identify each compound. GCxGC provides significantly greater separation capability, helping analysts distinguish important polymer markers from background matrix components. This enhanced separation improves the mass spectrometer’s ability to identify characteristic polymer pyrolysis products, even in highly complex environmental samples. As a result, researchers can detect and identify challenging microplastics without the extensive purification steps often required by other analytical workflows.Another unique advantage of this approach is that thermal desorption and pyrolysis can be used in series on the same sample. Together, they create a more complete chemical profile of the sample.</div><div><h3>A Powerful Microplastics Analysis Workflow for Deeper Insight into the Effects on Our Environment</h3>FTIR and Raman spectroscopy remain valuable tools for rapid screening and flagging samples containing microplastic particles. However, by combining thermal desorption, pyrolysis, and GCxGC-TOFMS, analysts can obtain a much more comprehensive view of plastics in their samples and their environmental implications. As environmental research continues to advance and concerns surrounding microplastic contamination grow, researchers will increasingly require information that extends beyond answering the question,&nbsp;“What plastic is present?”&nbsp;&nbsp;Ultimately, this deeper level of characterization can provide new insights into the environmental fate of microplastics and help scientists better understand their potential impacts on ecosystems and human exposure.</div>

Surpassing the Limits of Traditional Microplastic Analysis Methods with Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GCxGC) are the gold standards for analyzing complex organic mixtures. This dual capability eliminates analytical blind spots and provides a more complete chemical profile.<ul><li>GC-MS provides molecular identification and high sensitivity for both target quantification and non-target screening.</li><li>GCxGC exponentially increases analyte separation, exposing trace components and simplifying group-type analyses.</li><li>Together, these technologies offer an unparalleled toolset for volatile and semi-volatile sample characterization.</li></ul><h3>Achieving Identification with TOF Technology</h3>Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a foundational analytical tool for volatile and semi-volatile characterization. By resolving analytes from complex mixtures in the gas phase, the system allows for&nbsp;critical&nbsp;detection and identification of individual components. While traditional scanning quadrupole systems are effective for routine target analysis, Time-of-Flight (TOF) mass spectrometers significantly enhance capabilities for discovery-based work and complex&nbsp;sample&nbsp;characterization.<ul><li>Uncompromised Full-Range Sensitivity:&nbsp;Unlike scanning&nbsp;mass spectrometers&nbsp;that lose sensitivity as scan speed increases, TOF systems can collect full mass range data at full sensitivity. This enables femtogram-level&nbsp;detection&nbsp;even when&nbsp;acquiring&nbsp;non-target data, ensuring that trace-level&nbsp;analytes&nbsp;are not missed.&nbsp;</li><li>High-Speed Acquisition &amp; Deconvolution: Modern TOF technology provides the high data acquisition rates required to support extremely narrow chromatographic peaks associated with fast GC and GCxGC. Software algorithms automatically deconvolute coeluting peaks, extracting clean spectra for individual components</li><li>Reliable Molecular Fingerprinting:&nbsp;Mass spectrometry creates a unique spectral “fingerprint” for each&nbsp;molecule. TOFMS&nbsp;facilitates&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;matching against extensive libraries&nbsp;thanks to the absence of spectral skewing associated with scanning instruments, providing definitive identification of both known and unknown analytes.&nbsp;</li><li>System Versatility:&nbsp;These platforms are highly configurable, supporting a variety of autosamplers, ionization sources (such as EI or CI), and chromatography accessories to satisfy a wide range of&nbsp;methodology&nbsp;requirements and complex sample types.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Powerful Chromatographic Separation for Complex Samples</h3>When samples are too complex for conventional single-dimensional analysis—such as crude oil, complex aromas, or environmental extracts—Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GCxGC) is required. By continuously capturing segments of effluent from a primary column and reinjecting them into a secondary column with a different stationary phase, GCxGC can provide a nearly 10-fold increase leap in resolving power.<ul><li>Maximize Identifications:&nbsp;GCxGC&amp; instruments identify significantly more analytes than traditional GC by providing the chromatographic resolution necessary to separate components from each other and the matrix.&nbsp;</li><li>Structured Chromatograms:&nbsp;Analytes elute in predictable “classes” within the two-dimensional space (e.g., alkanes,&nbsp;aromatics, FAMEs). This creates a structured chemical map, simplifying group-type&nbsp;interpretation&nbsp;and the fingerprinting of complex chemistries.&nbsp;</li><li>Discovery of Hidden Components:&nbsp;By resolving coelutions,&nbsp;GCxGC&nbsp;exposes trace compounds that are typically obscured by more abundant species, making it the premier tool for research, development, and high-level discovery work.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Flexible Configurations and System Options</h3>Analytical platforms for GC and GC-MS are highly configurable, allowing laboratories to tailor the hardware to their specific&nbsp;methodology.&nbsp;<ul><li>Automated Sample Introduction:&nbsp;Systems can be equipped with various autosampler solutions&nbsp;for performing various injection types&nbsp;including liquid, headspace,&nbsp;solid phase&nbsp;microextraction (SPME),&nbsp;Pyrolysis, Thermal Desorption, and more&nbsp;to streamline workflows.&nbsp;</li><li>Ionization Modes:&nbsp;Standard EI (electron impact) ionization can be complemented with CI (Chemical ionization) and NCI (Negative chemical ionization)&nbsp;to&nbsp;assist&nbsp;in both library matching and molecular weight confirmation.&nbsp;</li><li>Modulation Techniques:&nbsp;Both thermal and flow-based modulation options exist for&nbsp;GCxGC, allowing for the optimization of separation based on analyte volatility, sensitivity needs, and&nbsp;laboratory infrastructure.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Industry Value: Why Advanced Analytical Techniques Are Indispensable</h3>GC and GC-MS serve as a cornerstone for quality, safety, and innovation across many critical industries. By delivering high-precision data, these methodologies enable professionals to navigate rigorous regulatory environments, optimize complex manufacturing processes, and accelerate research breakthroughs. Explore the industries below to learn more on how these analytical capabilities provide the essential insights required to maintain quality and drive operational success across these diverse sectors.<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/petrochemicals/">Petrochemicals</a> The chemical complexity of petroleum and derived products necessitates specific instrumentation for thorough characterization. LECO’s GCxGC and TOFMS instruments simplify the classification and comparison of petroleum products for process optimization.&nbsp;</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/environmental/">Environmental</a> Our suite of elemental analyzers and GC-MS platforms empowers labs to confidently identify trace-level compounds through unprecedented separation and rich spectral detail.&nbsp;</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/food-safety/">Food Safety</a> To help manufacturers meet strict regulatory and consumer standards for food safety, we offer advanced analytical equipment for contaminant detection.&nbsp;</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/aroma-flavor-fragrance/">Flavor &amp; Fragrance</a> Leveraging advanced GCxGC and TOFMS instruments, LECO empowers deeper aroma characterization, accurate reformulation, off-odor identification, and more.&nbsp;</li><li>Pharmaceuticals Identification of unknown impurities and extractable/leachable compounds critical for drug safety.&nbsp;</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/metabolomics/">Metabolomics</a> Our advanced mass spectrometry instruments and innovative software tools are designed to help you decipher intricate metabolic disease pathways, explore new horizons in exposomics, and more.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>GC and GCxGC Instruments</h3>The integration of GCxGC separations and Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry empowers researchers to see deeper into their samples. By combining high sensitivity with superior resolving power, these systems transform complex chemical mixtures into clear, actionable data for critical decision-making.<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1097">Pegasus BTX Series</a>: High-Sensitivity GC-TOFMS</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/products?category=22&amp;manufacturerItems=24&amp;search=hrt">Pegasus HRT Series</a>: Redefining High-Resolution Analysis&nbsp;</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/gcms/products?category=181&amp;manufacturerItems=24">GCxGC Modulation Solutions</a>: Solutions for Enhanced GCxGC Analysis&nbsp;</li></ul>

GC and GC-MS: Unmatched Separation, Sensitivity, and Identification

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In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

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