Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8040 NX - Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer - Specification Sheet

Significance of the Topic

Simultaneous determination of multiple components at trace levels is essential across environmental monitoring, food safety, forensic investigations, and pharmaceutical quality control. Triple quadrupole GC MS systems offer unmatched sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput, meeting stringent regulatory and research demands.

Study Objectives and Overview

This specification sheet presents the design and performance characteristics of a universal triple quadrupole gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC MS TQ) combining three smart features: performance, productivity, and operation. The aim is to demonstrate how this platform achieves high sensitivity for multiple analyses while simplifying method development and data processing.

Methodology

The instrument supports a broad range of ionization modes (EI, PCI, NCI) and analysis strategies including scan, selected ion monitoring (SIM), multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), and hybrid Scan/SIM or Scan/MRM. Advanced scanning protocols enable up to 20 000 u/s and 800 MRM transitions per second, with retention time repeatability below 0.0008 min. Calibration and detection limits are statistically validated at 99 % confidence based on sequential analyses.

Instrumentation

• Gas chromatograph: Nexis GC-2030 with split/splitless injection, oven range ambient to 450 °C, constant flow/pressure/liner velocity control, AFC up to 1035 kPa, ramp rate up to 120 °C/min.
• Mass spectrometer: Directly coupled capillary interface (50-350 °C), metal quadrupole filters with pre-rods, UFsweeper collision cell (0-60 eV, argon), mass range m/z 10-1090, resolution 0.4-3.0 u (FWHM), axis stability ±0.1 u/48 h.
• Ion source: Front-accessible dual-filament EI (optional PCI/NCI), electron energy 10-200 eV, emission current 5-250 µA, automatic filament switching.
• Detector and vacuum: Secondary electron multiplier with Overdrive Lens, dynamic range up to 8×10^6, dual turbo pumps (190+170 L/s), 30 L/min rotary fore pump.
• Software: GCMSsolution Ver.4 enabling Q1/Q3 scans, product ion, precursor and neutral loss scans, SIM/MRM, FASST simultaneous Scan/SIM, Smart MRM/SIM wizard, retention index library matching, automated tuning and QA/QC.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance demonstrations using octafluoronaphthalene and benzophenone-d10 showed instrument detection limits (IDL) down to 4 fg (m/z 272→222) with repeatable peak areas (<1 % RSD) and signal-to-noise ratios exceeding 18 000 for 100 fg in EI MRM mode. Installation checkout criteria confirm sub-picogram sensitivity, high mass axis stability, and rapid MRM event handling (2048 events at minimum 0.5 ms dwell time).

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Unmatched sensitivity for trace-level quantitation in environmental, food, forensic, and pharmaceutical matrices.
• High throughput via rapid scanning, automated method creation, and robust QA/QC features.
• Flexible ionization and acquisition modes allow broad compound coverage from small volatiles to high-mass analytes.
• Integrated software streamlines data processing, library searching, and report generation.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

The next generation of GC MS TQ systems will leverage machine learning for predictive method optimization, cloud-based data sharing, and real-time anomaly detection. Advances in microfluidic columns, green carrier gases, and miniaturized ion sources will further enhance portability and sustainability. Expanding smart databases for pesticides, metabolites, and environmental toxins will support rapid screening in regulatory and field settings.

Conclusion

This universal triple quadrupole GC MS platform demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, precision, and versatility, fulfilling diverse analytical challenges. Its smart features accelerate method development and ensure reproducibility, making it a valuable asset for modern laboratories.

References

No external literature references were cited in the source document.