Search Research Equipment-Q Exactive Focus (DART) Mass Spectrometer

Q Exactive Focus (DART) Mass Spectrometer

Description

Q Exactive Focus mass spectrometry with DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time) produces mass spectra in real time, directly under ambient conditions without sample treatment, without solvent extraction or other sample preparation, even directly on surfaces as paper, glass, TLC plates. DART is a non-contact sampling method. In contrary to traditional solvent sample introduction, almost no memory effect between different samples occurs. DART offers convenience of sample analysis and overcomes restrictions in speed, as experienced in mass spectrometry analysis with traditional available ion sources.

When using DART coupled to a high resolution MS (HRMS) such as the Q-Exactive-Focus, time consuming separation techniques as HPLC are not required.

The DART is also able to analyse less polar compounds with the traditional ESI source, but within a lower mass range. The default mass range is below m/z 1200 (due to the heating with the DART), but higher masses of thermal stable compounds can be analyzed.

In contrast to DART, other mass spectrometry analysis methods with high vacuum system require time consuming sample preparation. Then the dissolved samples may result in carry over between samples. Furthermore, solid samples can analysed with a direct insertion probe with according drawbacks.

Technical Details

The Q-Exactive Focus mass spectrometer DART combines quadrupole precursor selection with high-resolution, accurate-mass detection, with a sensitivity that rivals triple quadrupole mass spectrometers and a resolution that surpasses Q-TOF instruments.

Exceptional sensitivity thanks to superior selectivity that eliminates interferences allowing lower limits of detection and quantitation
Fast polarity switching, so more classes of compounds can be processed in a single analysis
Resolution superior to Q-TOF instruments for more confident identification and confirmation
Exceptionally wide linear dynamic range
Installed with a DART probe is a new ionization device for rapid, non-contact surface sampling of compounds.

More Technical Details

Gasflow: Helium or Nitrogen
Temperature range: 50-550 °C
Sample introduction manually or automatic with different sample modules

Resolving power	70.000 (FWHM) at m/z200
Mass Range	50 to 2000 m/z
Scan rate	Up to 12 Hz at resolution setting of 17.500@m/z200
Mass Accuracy	internal<1ppm RMS, external<3ppm RMS
Sensitivity Full MS	500 fg buspirone on column S/N 100:1
Sensitivity SIM	50 fg buspirone on column S/N 100:1
Dynamic range	>5000:1
Linear Dynamic range	>1.000.000
Polarity switching	One full cycle in <1sec (one full positive mode scan and one full negative mode scan at a resolution setting of 35.000)
HCD collision cell	Fragmentation with high-resolution accurate-mass detection

Principle Q-Exactive-Focus

Principle DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time)

Gas flows into the source
Electrical discharge creates a plasma
Lenses remove charged particles
Grid prevents ion-ion recombination at exit
Exited-state species of helium interact with reagent molecules and sample present.
Analysis of the sample at ambient pressure in open air.
It’s possible to do analysis direct on samples without sample pre-treatment.

Applications

DART coupled to high resolution MS can be applied to a broad range of applications in the fields of pharmaceutical and biological research, forensic science, food safety, drug screening, threat detection and characterization of self-assembled monolayers.

Examples of applications with the DART coupled to a high resolution MS:

Food quality and safety: detecting food contaminants and biotoxins in food.
Drug screening: fast identification of active ingredients in tableted drugs.
Self-assembled monolayers: obtaining structural information of the monolayer on surface of choice.
Biological research: analyses of plant material such as root and leaves of treated or infected plant materials.

Complementary Techniques

The DART is applicable on other MS systems with other specs, for example the Ambient Mass Spectrometry Imaging system (ambient MSI).

Besides the DART other analytic methods are available:

DESI (Desorption Electrospray Ionisation)
ESI (Electrospray Ionisation
PCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization)

Publications:

(Un)targeted scanning of locks of hair for drugs of abuse by direct analysis in real time-high-resolution mass spectrometry Duvivier, W.F. , Rutten, Marc van , Beek, T.A. van , Nielen, M.W.F. (2016) Analytical Chemistry 88 (2016)4. - ISSN 0003-2700 - p. 2489 - 2496.

Use of Ambient Ionization High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for the Kinetic Analysis of Organic Surface Reactions Sen, Rickdeb , Escorihuela, Jorge , Smulders, Maarten M.J. , Zuilhof, Han (2016) Langmuir 32 (2016)14. - ISSN 0743-7463 - p. 3412 - 3419.

Ambient mass spectrometry of covalently bound organic monolayers Radostina K. Manova, Frank W. Claassen, Michel W. F. Nielen, Han Zuilhof and Teris A. van Beek (2013) Chem.Commun., 2013, 49, 922-924

Rapid control of Chinese star anise fruits and teas for neurotoxic anisatin by Direct Analysis in Real Time high resolution mass spectrometry. Yao Shen, Teris A. van Beek, Frank W. Claassen, Han Zuilhof, Bo Chen, Michel W.F. Nielen (2012) Journal of Chromatography A (2012) 1259, 179-186

Last edited by Oscar de Vos on 2020-10-09

Our expert(s)

Frank Claassen

Contact our expert(s)

Brand

Thermo Scientific

Type

Q Exactive Focus benchtop LC-M

Organisation

Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences
Shared Research Facilities

Subdivision

Organic Chemistry

To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.

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