Shimadzu Scientific has introduced a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) mass spectrometer for analysis of ultra-trace substances such as impurities and additives in plastics and synthetic polymers.
The GPC-Accuspot-Axima combines a high-resolution GPC system, the Accuspot automated fraction collection and spotting device, and an Axima series Maldi-TOF mass spectrometer.
Until now, the steps for polymer and plastic analysis with GPC-Maldi required a tremendous amount of time and effort.
To fully automate the process, Shimadzu redesigned its Accuspot, a high-capacity liquid chromatography spotting system specifically designed for MS analysis, to make it compatible with standard GPC organic solvents.
The device mixes the GPC eluent with Maldi matrix solution on-line and automatically deposits the resulting solution onto the Maldi sample target, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity.
With the GPC-Accuspot-Axima system, researchers can automatically fraction a maximum of 384 1-uL samples of a separated sample.
This eliminates the uncertainty associated with manual processing between separation by liquid chromatography and analysis by Maldi mass spectrometry.
Intelligent Polymer Analysis software calculates monomer unit molecular weight, end termini masses, polydispersity and average molecular weight.
The GPC-Accuspot-Axima offers more detailed analysis of trace components that cannot be detected due to ion suppression.
It also helps detect substances that can affect material characteristics such as durability and deterioration.
Shimadzu is the only company that currently offers the complete system.
The GPC-Accuspot can also be sold separately to be combined with an existing mass spectrometer.
