A Sample Prep-Free Analysis of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids with “Smart IS+” and “SMCI+” - Environmental Monitoring -

User Benefits

- “Smart IS+” and “SMCI+” setups enable direct qualitative GC/MS analysis of PFCAs without the need for multi-step derivatizationprocedures - Gain access to both electron ionization and positive chemical ionization modes with a single “Smart IS+”setup - “SMCI+” setup delivers convenience and safety to perform positive chemical ionization since it requires only commonlaboratory solvents as reagent gas

Introduction

Perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are man-made compounds that do not occur naturally in the environment. These compounds are extremely persistent in the environment and commonly named “the forever chemical”. PFCAs bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife leading to potential adverse effects on the environment, human, and wildlife health. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the most widely used PFCAs in manufacturing processes and its exposure has long caught the attention of regulators such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Environmental Agency. Longer carbon chains of PFCAs are also a major concern as they were detected in human breast milk and infant formulas. While there have been enormous efforts to restrict the use of PFCAs, the lack of alternatives and international free trades hence call for the need for constant environmental and substance monitoring. PFCAs are compounds of the formula Cn F(2n+1)CO2H. Due to the presence of a carboxyl functional group, it is necessary to perform derivatization prior to analysis with the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. The usage of a direct probe as a sample inlet in GC/MS provides an alternative technique that eliminates the need for tedious sample preparation. This benefit paves the way for a quick and direct method to achieve preliminary detection and identification of PFCAs. This article demonstrates the application of a direct probe in conjunction with a Smart EI/CI ion source (Smart IS) or solvent mediated chemical ionization (SMCI) unit for the analysis of six types of PFCAs. The mass spectra of PFCAs generated by Smart IS and SMCI units will be evaluated.

May 27, 2021 GMT