We are a research group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California State University, Los Angeles. Our research revolves around the characterization of complex chemical mixtures via state-of-the-art techniques, including two-dimensional gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our ultimate objective is to gain a fundamental understanding of how the chemical composition influences the properties of complex chemical mixtures at the molecular level. Additionally, we specialize in the analysis of microplastics, which is an emerging field with important environmental implications. Through our work, we strive to make a positive impact on society by contributing to the development of sustainable solutions.

Lab and Facilities

Our lab and department are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instruments for analyzing a wide range of samples.

LECO Pegasus BT 4D GCxGC-TOFMS

• Library Pegasus BT 4D GCxGC-TOFMS

LECO's GCxGC Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer.

Cal State LA: LECO QUADJET GCxGC coupled to Pegasus BT 4D TOM MS in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)

LECO GC×GC-FID

• Library LECO GC×GC-FID

LECO's QuadJet SD Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC×GC) combined with Flame Ionization Detection (FID).

Cal State LA: LECO QUADJET GCxGC FID in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)

LECO GC-TOFMS

• Library LECO GC-TOFMS

LECO's Benchtop Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer Pegasus® BT GC-TOFMS.

C³AL: Lab and Facilities C³AL group: LECO GC×GC-FID, LECO GC-TOFMS and Agilent GC-MSD-FID

Agilent GC/MSD/FID

• Library Agilent GC/MSD/FID

Agilent 5977B gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detector (GC/MSD) with EI, a single quadrupole, and split to an FID.

Cal State LA: Agilent GCMSD in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)

Thermo LC-MS

• Library Thermo LC-MS Orbitrap Exactive

Exactive™ Plus Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer is a benchtop LC-MS system that delivers high-resolution, accurate-mass (HR/AM) data and fast full-scan capabilities.

LECO L-PAL3 GC Autosampler

• Library LECO L-PAL3

L-PAL3 GC Autosampler is capable of liquid, headspace, and SPME injections.

SVM 3001 Cold Properties

Anton Paar SVM 3001 Cold Properties is capable of measuring density, viscosity, cloud point, and freezing point in the temperature range of -60 to 135 °C.

6200 Isoperibol Calorimeter

Parr Instrument Company 6200 Isoperibol Calorimeter is a microprocessor-controlled, isoperibol oxygen bomb calorimeter.

Cal State LA: GCxGC, GC-TOF and GC-MSD systems in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)

Research

Detailed Analysis of Complex Chemical Mixtures

Complex chemical mixtures (e.g., fuels, environmental air, human breath, pharmaceuticals) are combinations of hundreds or thousands of chemicals, of which the composition is qualitatively and quantitatively not fully known. We use comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) techniques for quantitative and qualitative (targeted and untargeted) analyses of various gas, liquid, and solid samples.

Research C³AL: Detailed Analysis of Complex Chemical Mixtures and Mapping Biodegradation of Subsurface Oil in Huntington Beach Sands

Mapping Biodegradation of Subsurface Oil in Huntington Beach Sands

In October 2021, a pipeline failure connecting the Port of Long Beach to an offshore oil platform resulted in ~140,000 gallons of post-production crude oil washing up on local beaches. This project aims to study the interactions between beach sands and oil via GC×GC to better understand the human health risks from oil-polluted beaches. This project is funded by the California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST).

Microplastics Analysis

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic fragments that are defined as 5 mm or smaller. Due to their extremely small size, they exist in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Our research aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze organic compounds adsorbed on MPs' surfaces using GC-TOFMS and GC×GC-TOFMS with SPME fibers and a pyrolysis autosampler. Since MPs are virtually non-degradable, understanding the types of compounds adsorbed onto their surfaces will provide a deeper understanding of the toxicity of MPs.

Research C³AL: Microplastics Analysis and Time since Deposition/Aging Studies for Latent Fingerprints

Time since Deposition/Aging Studies for Latent Fingerprints

In forensic science, determining the age of a fingerprint remains an elusive problem. Fingerprint residues represent a complex mixture of chemical components, including amino acids, saturated fatty acids, triglycerols, cholesterol, and squalene. We use GC-TOFMS and GCxGC-TOFMS to analyze these compounds.

Chemometrics

Data analysis is an important step for extracting information from chemical systems. Our main goal is to fundamentally understand and describe how the chemical composition influences the properties of complex chemical mixtures on a molecular level. Current projects include the description of the relationship between hydrocarbon mixtures' chemical composition and their freezing points.

Chemical Conversion of Plastic Waste into Fuel

We collaborate with Dr. Nien-Hwa Linda Wang from Purdue University to improve her new chemical conversion process (hydrothermal processing). Dr. Wang's technology utilizes plastic wastes and converts them into useable chemicals, polymers, and liquid transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel. We also collaborate with UCT Prague and analyze their products from pyrolysis of waste tires and plastic foils.