<p><strong>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have transformed energy storage technology, driving innovations for products we use in everyday life such as smartphones and even electric vehicles. But what makes these batteries so efficient? A key component is the electrolyte solution, a complex mix that’s crucial for battery performance. GC-MS or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is an essential tool in analyzing these electrolyte mixtures and the development of increased efficiency and longer-lasting batteries.</strong></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1024/551;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_29d144ea28.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Electrifying Insights: How GC-MS is Powering Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_29d144ea28.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="551"></figure><h4><strong>Why Analyze Electrolytes?</strong></h4><p><strong>Electrolyte solutions are the essence of lithium-ion batteries, impacting:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Performance</strong>: The right mix ensures faster charging and longer battery life.</li><li><strong>Safety</strong>: Accurate composition prevents overheating and potential hazards.</li><li><strong>Lifespan</strong>: Understanding degradation helps design components that last longer.</li></ul><p>Getting the electrolyte mix right is vital for efficient, safe, and durable batteries.</p><p><strong>However, analyzing electrolytes is complex and comes with a number of challenges:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Complex Mixture</strong>: Electrolytes consist of various organic solvents, additives, and degradation products. This complexity requires sophisticated technology to separate and identify components.</li><li><strong>Heat Sensitivity</strong>: Components like LiPF6 can degrade at high temperatures, creating new compounds that complicate analysis.</li><li><strong>Trace Additives</strong>: Some additives are present in low concentrations but play a critical role in battery performance. Detecting these components demands highly sensitive methods.</li><li><strong>Degradation Products</strong>: Battery cycling produces byproducts that can interfere with the main components. It’s like trying to find a book in a disorganized library.</li></ol><p><strong>This is where GC-MS becomes an essential analytical tool. This powerful technique provides a detailed look into the composition of LIB electrolytes. The analysis follows a number of steps:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Sample Prep</strong>: LIB electrolyte samples are diluted in dichloromethane and centrifuged to remove interfering salts.</li><li><strong>GC Separation</strong>: Samples are run through a gas chromatograph which uses a programmed temperature ramp ensures all components are separated within a 23-minute window.</li><li><strong>MS detection</strong>: After separation, the mass spectrometer operating in full scan and selected ion monitoring (SIM) provides detailed qualitative and quantitative data.</li></ul><p>Figure 1 shows the difference in selectivity between full scan and SIM mode. Vinylene carbonate is not detected in full scan at a 1 to 500 dilution due to the lack of selectivity and interference in full scan acquisition. However, by using SIM the ions of interest are isolated in the quadrupole increasing selectivity and allowing vinylene carbonate to be quantified at a low level.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:881/694;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_Figure_1_Full_scan_and_SIM_acquisition_of_vinylene_carbonate_in_cycled_LIB_electrolyte_at_1_500_dilution_6803793369.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 1. Full scan and SIM acquisition of vinylene carbonate in cycled LIB electrolyte at 1:500 dilution." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Electrifying_Insights_How_GC_MS_is_Powering_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Analysis_Figure_1_Full_scan_and_SIM_acquisition_of_vinylene_carbonate_in_cycled_LIB_electrolyte_at_1_500_dilution_6803793369.jpg 198w," sizes="100vw" width="881" height="694"></figure><p><strong>GC-MS brings several advantages to electrolyte analysis:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Precise Separation</strong>: Achieves excellent separation of multiple components, ensuring accurate readings without co-elution issues.</li><li><strong>High Sensitivity</strong>: Detects even trace amounts of additives—down to 0.021 mg/L.</li><li><strong>Broad Range</strong>: Handles a wide concentration range, analyzing both major and minor components in one go.</li><li><strong>Degradation Insights</strong>: Reveals compositional shifts in cycled electrolytes, providing clues about the aging process of batteries.</li></ul><div><div><h4><strong>Why this analysis is important?</strong></h4><p>Understanding the detailed composition and changes in LIB electrolytes is crucial. It helps researchers and manufacturers fine-tune battery designs for enhanced performance, safety, and durability. While the analysis can be complex, the insights gained are invaluable.</p><p>So next time you charge your device remember the sophisticated science behind that battery. Tools like GC-MS are enabling battery technological advances to be made, ensuring the future of battery technology.</p><blockquote><p>For full details on this analysis<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001124_gc_ms_isq_7610_li_battery_electrolyte_an001124_na_en_4df8612386/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="read the full application note. - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://assets.thermofisher.com/tfs-assets/cmd/application-notes/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf$readthefullapplicationnote."><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001124_gc_ms_isq_7610_li_battery_electrolyte_an001124_na_en_4df8612386/an-001124-gc-ms-isq-7610-li-battery-electrolyte-an001124-na-en.pdf"><strong>read the full application note.</strong></a></a> For further details on how GC-MS can power your analysis, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-gc-ms/gc-ms-systems/single-quadrupole-gc-ms.html"><strong>visit our website.</strong></a></p><h5><strong>Visit us on </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn: - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/$linkedin:"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/"><strong>LinkedIn:</strong></a></a><strong> </strong>#LithiumIonBatteries #GCMS #BatteryMaterialAnalysis</h5><section><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="2"><strong>Adam Ladak</strong></h4><div itemprop="description">Adam Ladak is the global product marketing manager for GC quadrupole mass spectrometry at Thermo Fisher, based in the UK. He started his career working in a contracting testing lab analyzing sports supplements and horse feed for prohibited substances. He has over 20 years of experience in the analytical testing industry and has worked for leading instrument manufacturers in various roles from an application specialist to a global marketing role focused on food and environmental testing. Adam is passionate about utilizing our GCMS instrumentation to meet the customer needs and solve real world problems.</div></section></blockquote></div></div>

Electrifying Insights: How GC-MS is Powering Lithium-Ion Battery Analysis

<p><strong>As you embark on your festive celebrations, clinking glasses filled with delightful brews, have you ever considered the meticulous science behind that perfect sip? At Creature Comforts Brewing Co., ensuring each sip of your favorite drink, be it their seasonal festive IPA or my favorite the bold Flash Cat imperial IPA, tastes just right is a year-round commitment.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Joy_of_Festive_Drinks_A_Cheerful_Tale_of_Consistency_2a360b32e9.jpeg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: The Joy of Festive Drinks: A Cheerful Tale of Consistency." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_The_Joy_of_Festive_Drinks_A_Cheerful_Tale_of_Consistency_2a360b32e9.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512"></p><p>Nestled in Athens, Georgia, Creature Comforts has become a beacon of quality in the craft beer community since its inception in 2014. Their success lies not just in innovative brewing, but in an unwavering focus on consistency. For this they use an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/484"><strong>advanced Gas chromatography mass spectrometry or GC-MS system</strong></a>. This instrument is a crucial tool in the brewery’s lab that ensures every batch of beer is <strong>consistent </strong>and meets the <strong>highest standards</strong>.</p><p>At Creature Comforts, an array of tests are performed which include checking for <strong>alcohol content, pH levels, density</strong>, and <strong>microbiological tests </strong>to ensure no beer-spoiling organisms are present. Among the most critical tests is the daily check of<strong> vicinal diketones</strong> (VDKs), compounds that can impart off-flavors if not properly controlled. The GC-MS system excels at performing these tests swiftly and accurately. The <strong>GC-MS</strong> system is also utilized for experimental trials, testing how variations in ingredients or processes might affect the final product.</p><p>In-house testing using such advanced equipment allows for rapid issue resolution and ensures that production rates remain high without sacrificing quality. By keeping sample handling within a controlled environment, contamination is avoided, and testing accuracy is maintained. Adding another layer of quality assurance is their sensory panel, a group of trained tasters who subject each batch to rigorous tasting sessions. This panel functions like Santa’s little helpers, making sure only the best brews make it to your holiday celebrations. Any batch that doesn’t meet their expectations is promptly held back for further adjustments.</p><p>So, this festive season, as you enjoy a glass of your favorite holiday beer, take a moment to appreciate the dedication and precision that goes into each sip. Behind every beer, lies a commitment to quality and consistency that makes your celebrations a bit more special. Here’s to the craft brewers who ensure our festive drinks are always delightful, maintaining the joy and cheer of the season, one sip at a time. Happy holidays and cheers to consistent quality!</p><blockquote><p>For more insights into the dedication and science behind Creature Comforts’ brewing process, check out the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="full case study - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://assets.thermofisher.com/tfs-assets/cmd/reference-materials/cs-000433-gc-ms-flavors-volatiles-beer-cs000433-en.pdf$fullcasestudy"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Reference-Materials/cs-000433-gc-ms-flavors-volatiles-beer-cs000433-en.pdf"><strong>full case study</strong></a></a>.</p><p><strong>Visit our&nbsp;</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn page - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/chromatography-&amp;-mass-spectrometry/posts/?feedview=all$linkedinpage"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/chromatography-&amp;-mass-spectrometry/posts/?feedView=all"><strong>LinkedIn page</strong></a></a><strong>:</strong> #GCMS #QC</p></blockquote><section><blockquote><h4 data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="2"><strong>Adam Ladak</strong></h4><div itemprop="description">Adam Ladak is the global product marketing manager for GC quadrupole mass spectrometry at Thermo Fisher, based in the UK. He started his career working in a contracting testing lab analyzing sports supplements and horse feed for prohibited substances. He has over 20 years of experience in the analytical testing industry and has worked for leading instrument manufacturers in various roles from an application specialist to a global marketing role focused on food and environmental testing. Adam is passionate about utilizing our GCMS instrumentation to meet the customer needs and solve real world problems.</div></blockquote></section>

The Joy of Festive Drinks: A Cheerful Tale of Consistency

<p><strong>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings. They are found in fossil fuels and are produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter, making them ubiquitous in the environment. Due to their potential toxic effects, including carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption, PAHs are closely monitored in the environment, especially in soil and water samples.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>However, the analysis of PAHs in environmental samples presents several challenges, particularly when adhering to stringent regulatory requirements such as the <strong>U.S. EPA Method 8270E1</strong>. In this blog, we will explore these challenges and how advanced GC-MS technology can be utilized to address and overcome these challenges.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_8ba846d208.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Tackling PAH Analysis in Environmental Samples - Overcoming the Challenges with Advanced GC-MS Technology." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_8ba846d208.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576"></p><h3 id="h-challenges-in-pah-analysis" data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="2"><strong>Challenges in PAH Analysis</strong></h3><h4 id="h-1-regulatory-compliance" data-uw-rm-heading="level" role="heading" aria-level="3"><strong>1. Regulatory Compliance</strong></h4><p>Compliance with <strong>EPA Method 8270E</strong> requires specific tuning and calibration procedures. For instance, the method mandates the use of DFTPP (Decafluorotriphenylphosphine) tuning to ensure ion abundances are within acceptable limits. Additionally, maintaining consistent instrument performance over extended runs without maintenance is crucial to meet regulatory standards and ensure results are reported in a timely manner.</p><h4 id="h-2-complex-sample-matrix"><strong>2. Complex Sample Matrix</strong></h4><p>Environmental samples including soil and wastewater are complex matrices and contain interference that can affect the accurate detection and quantification of PAHs. The presence of isobaric compounds necessitates high chromatographic resolution to distinguish between closely eluting PAH compounds, such as benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene.</p><h4 id="h-3-wide-range-of-detection-levels"><strong>3. Wide Range of Detection Levels</strong></h4><p>PAH analysis must cover a wide range of detection levels across different matrices, from low parts-per-billion (ppb) to high parts-per-million (ppm) concentrations. This diversity necessitates a versatile analytical method capable of maintaining accuracy and precision across a broad dynamic range. Creating and managing multiple calibration curves for different concentration ranges and matrices can be time-consuming and prone to errors.</p><h3 id="h-overcoming-the-challenges-of-pah-analysis-in-environmental-samples"><strong>Overcoming the Challenges of PAH Analysis in Environmental Samples</strong></h3><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_2_e03ef1d953.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 1: Chromatographic separation and peak shape for 19 investigated PAHs, 5 labelled ISTD and 2 Surrogate standards in a solvent standard at 0.1 ppm acquired in SIM. Tracks of the quantification ions are reported for each peak in different colors. 1=Naphthalene-d8, 2=Naphthalene, 3=2-methyl Naphthalene, 4=1-methyl Naphthalene, 5=Acenaphthylene, 6=Acenaphthene, 7=Acenaphtene-d10 , 8=Dibenzofuran, 9=Fluorene, 10=Tribromophenol 2,4,6, 11=Phenantrene-d10 , 12=Phenantrene, 13=Anthracene, 14=Fluoranthene, 15=Terphenyl-d14, 16=Pyrene, 17=Benz[a]anthracene, 18=Chrysene-d12, 19=Chrysene 20=Benzo[b]fluoranthene, 21=Benzo[k]fluoranthene, 22=Benzo[a]pyrene, 23=Perylene-d12, 24=Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, 25=Indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene, 26=Benzo[g,h,i]perylene" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_2_e03ef1d953.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="552"></p><p>A PAH analysis method was fully optimized on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/484"><strong>Thermo Scientific ISQ 7610 single quadrupole GC-MS system</strong></a>, equipped with the XLXR detector to overcome these challenges. For more information on the methods details and extensive data from the analysis you can review the full application note. The highlights of the benefits of using this GC-MS system include:</p><h4 id="h-1-wide-dynamic-range"><strong>1. Wide Dynamic Range</strong></h4><p>The XLXR detector offers an extended linear dynamic range and during this study over four orders of magnitude <strong>(2.5 ppb to 20 ppm)</strong> were covered for the <strong>19 PAHs </strong>analyzed. This wide dynamic range eliminates the need for separate calibration curves for different concentration ranges, simplifying the workflow and reducing the potential for errors.</p><p>Using a single calibration curve for multiple matrices, such as soil and water, offers significant advantages:</p><ul><li><strong>Simplified Workflow</strong>: A single calibration curve across a wide dynamic range streamlines the analytical process, reducing the time and effort required to prepare and manage multiple curves.</li><li><strong>Increased Throughput</strong>: By eliminating the need for separate curves, laboratories can analyze more samples in less time, enhancing productivity and reducing turnaround times.</li><li><strong>Improved Accuracy</strong>: Combined calibration curves minimize the potential for calibration errors, ensuring consistent and reliable quantification across different sample types.</li><li><strong>Versatility Across Matrices</strong>: The ability to use a single calibration curve for different matrices (e.g., soil and water) enhances the versatility of the analytical method, making it easier to adapt to various environmental sample types without compromising accuracy.</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_3_3_539d6ad458.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Figure 2: Examples of Average Response Factor calibration curve for some of the 19 PAHs analyzed, (from left to right: Naphthalene, Dibenzofuran, Phenantrene, Fluoranthene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene), Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, annotated with the %RSD. Linearity spans over 5 orders of magnitudes, from 2.5 to 20000 ng/mL." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Tackling_PAH_Analysis_in_Environmental_Samples_Overcoming_the_Challenges_with_Advanced_GC_MS_Technology_3_3_539d6ad458.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="640"></p><h4 id="h-2-sensitivity"><strong>2. Sensitivity</strong></h4><p>The system demonstrates excellent sensitivity with low instrument detection limits (IDLs) and method detection limits (MDLs) in the low picogram range. These detection limits exceed regulatory requirements, ensuring that even trace levels of PAHs are accurately quantified, providing reliable data for environmental monitoring.</p><h4 id="h-3-robustness"><strong>3. Robustness</strong></h4><p>The GCMS system maintained consistent sensitivity and peak shape over extended runs, with no significant performance degradation after 136 injections or 52 hours of continuous operation. This robustness is crucial for continuous operation of the system, allowing laboratories to run samples over an entire weekend without user intervention. This ensures high throughput and maximizes productivity.</p><h3 id="h-conclusion"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3><p>The <strong>Thermo Scientific ISQ 7610 GC-MS</strong> system provides a comprehensive solution to the challenges of PAH analysis in environmental samples. Its advanced features, including a wide dynamic range, excellent sensitivity, and robust performance, ensure compliance with EPA Method 8270E and improved laboratory efficiency. By leveraging the benefits of combined calibration curves, laboratories can achieve accurate, reliable, and high-throughput PAH analysis.</p><blockquote><p>For more detailed information on the capabilities of this advanced GC-MS system, please visit the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-gc-ms/gc-ms-systems/single-quadrupole-gc-ms.html">ISQ 7610 GC-MS product page</a>.</p><article aria-label="Tackling PAH Analysis in Environmental Samples: Overcoming the Challenges with Advanced GC-MS Technology"><div><p><strong>Visit our&nbsp;</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/chromatography-&amp;-mass-spectrometry/posts/?feedView=all"><strong>LinkedIn page</strong></a><strong>: </strong>#PAHAnalysis #EnvironmentalMonitoring #GCMS</p></div></article><section><h4><strong>Adam Ladak</strong></h4><div itemprop="description">Adam Ladak is the global product marketing manager for GC quadrupole mass spectrometry at Thermo Fisher, based in the UK. He started his career working in a contracting testing lab analyzing sports supplements and horse feed for prohibited substances. He has over 20 years of experience in the analytical testing industry and has worked for leading instrument manufacturers in various roles from an application specialist to a global marketing role focused on food and environmental testing. Adam is passionate about utilizing our GCMS instrumentation to meet the customer needs and solve real world problems.</div></section></blockquote>

Tackling PAH Analysis in Environmental Samples: Overcoming the Challenges with Advanced GC-MS Technology

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