Nitrogen carrier gas for the separation of trace explosives on CI-GC/MS

Fluctuations in ultra high purity (UHP) helium supply has the potential to negatively impact critical research efforts. Disruptions have increased significantly with suppliers prioritizing delivery to medical facilities. Due to the greater demand for helium, supply issues are likely to continue through the coming years. Many gas chromatography (GC)-based analytical methods rely on the supply of UHP helium, including those developed for the quantification of trace explosives. Vapor validation is critical in establishing sensor performance, limits of detection, and instrument performance. An alternate carrier gas must be established to maintain these critical functionalities. To circumvent the UHP helium disruptions, UHP nitrogen was explored as a replacement carrier gas in negative mode chemical ionization-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (CI-GC/MS). Although, hydrogen is considered an acceptable alternative to helium in most GC-based separations, its' use as a replacement was omitted due to reactivity resulting in degradation of the CI-MS detector and incompatibility with the programmable temperature vaporization inlet on the GC used in this work. Herein discusses the method development of nitrogen carrier gas in the separation of an explosives mixture. Adjustments in flow rate, initial oven temperature, and ramp rate were made to achieve comparable analysis to that of helium. By lowering the flow rate and initial oven temperature peak resolution and sensitivity increased when using nitrogen carrier gas. Development of this method allows for continual laboratory output in times of helium scarcity.