Agilent 7000C Triple QuadrupoleGC/MS System - Data Sheet

Importance of the Topic

The combination of gas chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) represents a gold standard for trace analysis in environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, and forensic applications. High sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness are essential to detect ultra-low concentrations of target analytes while maintaining reliable quantitation and method throughput.

Objectives and Study Overview

This data sheet presents the key performance characteristics, instrumental design features, and operational benefits of the Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph coupled with the Agilent 7000C Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. The focus is on demonstrating the system’s detection limits, dynamic range, tuning stability, and ease of maintenance for routine MS/MS workflows.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The system integrates:

• Gas Chromatograph 7890B: split/splitless and multi-mode injection, PTV inlet, headspace sampling, and a programmable oven (ambient +4 °C to 450 °C) with up to 120 °C/min ramp rates and backflush capability.
• Mass Spectrometer 7000C: dual-filament EI source (10–300 eV), optional CI, hyperbolic gold-coated quadrupoles, triple-axis high-efficiency detector, and linear hexapole collision cell operated with nitrogen and helium quench gas.
• Vacuum system: dual-stage turbomolecular pump supporting up to 8 mL/min gas flow.
• Software: Agilent MassHunter suite for acquisition, quantitation, and qualitative reporting, complemented by a pesticide/environmental pollutant MRM database with over 8,000 transitions.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance benchmarks confirmed upon installation include:

• Instrument Detection Limit (IDL) of 4 fg octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) in EI MRM mode (m/z 272→222), based on eight replicate injections and 99% confidence.
• MRM speed up to 800 transitions/sec with minimum dwell times of 0.5 ms, enabling high-throughput multi-residue methods.
• Signal-to-noise ratios exceeding 7,000:1 for OFN EI MRM at 100 fg/µL and >2,500:1 for benzophenone CI MRM at 5 pg/µL.
• Mass axis stability within ±0.10 u over 24 h and selectable resolution from 0.4 to 4 Da for specialized tuning.

System features such as early maintenance feedback, quick venting, eco-friendly sleep/wake modes, and integrated calculators further streamline everyday operation.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The 7890B/7000C platform delivers:

• Ultra-trace sensitivity for regulatory compliance across environmental and food safety laboratories.
• High selectivity through MRM transitions, reducing matrix interferences and false positives.
• Robustness and uptime supported by automated maintenance alerts and modular consumable management.
• Flexible method development with broad mass range (m/z 10–1,050) and rapid scan rates (up to 6,250 u/s).

Future Trends and Applications

Advances may include integration with ion mobility, expanded high-resolution MRM databases, machine learning-driven method optimization, and further miniaturization for field-deployable GC-MS/MS systems. Enhanced software analytics and cloud-based workflows will further improve data handling and remote monitoring.

Conclusion

The Agilent 7890B GC paired with the 7000C triple quadrupole MS offers unmatched sensitivity, selectivity, and operational efficiency for demanding trace analyses. Its proven performance and comprehensive feature set make it a versatile tool for regulated and research environments.

References

• Agilent Technologies. Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph and 7000C Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer Data Sheet. Published August 2013.