title: Dual-Stage Consumable-Free Thermal Modulator for the Hyphenation of Thermal Analysis, Gas Chromatography, and Mass Spectrometry.
abstract: The design of the so-called "Peltier modulator" is presented. It is a new dual-stage consumable-free thermal modulator for thermal analysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TA-GC-MS). It requires only electrical power for operation as it facilitates thermo-electric coolers instead of cryogenics for trapping and resistive on-column heating for reinjection. Trapping and desorption temperatures as well as modulation cycles are freely adjustable. The stationary phase for the trapping region can be selected to suit the specific application, since common fused silica capillary is used. The Peltier modulator's performance is demonstrated with a broad range of different standard substances and with heavy crude oil as a complex real life sample. Successful modulation from n-pentane to pyrene (boiling points = 36/394 °C) is presented. The produced peaks show the narrowest bandwidths ever reported for a consumable-free thermal modulator, i.e., 12.8 ± 1.2 ms for n-pentadecane. The Peltier modulator is rugged, cost-effective, requires low maintenance, and decreases security issues significantly, compared to commercial available solutions using liquid N2/CO2.
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen , Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.|Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, University Rostock , Chair for Analytical Chemistry, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wohlfahrt
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen , Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.|Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, University Rostock , Chair for Analytical Chemistry, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, University Rostock , Chair for Analytical Chemistry, 18059 Rostock, Germany.|University of Augsburg , Chair of Resource Strategy, 86159 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Photonion GmbH , 19061 Schwerin, Germany.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Saraji-Bozorgzad
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen , Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matuschek
authors.affiliation: Netzsch-Geraetebau GmbH , 95100 Selb, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Denner
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen , Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.|Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, University Rostock , Chair for Analytical Chemistry, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann