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Development of a Novel Mass Spectrometric ... - Jacobs University

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Results and Discussion<br />

Intens.<br />

[%]<br />

50<br />

(c)<br />

357.4<br />

+MS<br />

40<br />

355.3<br />

359.4<br />

30<br />

20<br />

10<br />

0<br />

C 26 H 39 C 25 H 52<br />

353.3<br />

347.4<br />

C 26 H 39 C 25 H 52<br />

361.4<br />

358.4<br />

365.3<br />

349.4<br />

351.3<br />

356.3<br />

360.4 363.4<br />

348.4<br />

354.3<br />

362.4<br />

352.3<br />

350.4<br />

364.4<br />

348 350 352 354 356 358 360 362 364 m/z<br />

Figure 3-22 <strong>Mass</strong> spectra <strong>of</strong> the waste sample purified by using 2 gs (a), 4 gs (b)<br />

and 6 gs (c) <strong>of</strong> florisil during purification.<br />

The altered light shredder waste fraction (hydrothermally treated) was analysed by<br />

APCI using N 2 gas as reagent. The mass spectrum in figure 3-20 shows ions for all<br />

components within the solid waste sample. The bulk <strong>of</strong> the sample, assuming<br />

ionisation without fragmentation as shown earlier, consists <strong>of</strong> hydrocarbons<br />

between 18 and 34 carbon atoms per molecule resulting in a mass envelope with<br />

almost Gaussian distribution centered around m/z 400. Examination <strong>of</strong> the waste<br />

spectrum reveals a MW distribution that spans over a mass range <strong>of</strong> m/z 200-700<br />

Da. This could define a typical MW distribution <strong>of</strong> solid waste hydrocarbon<br />

content. Although the waste spectrum demonstrates a relatively low mass<br />

distribution range, it reflects a high degree <strong>of</strong> complexity characterized by the huge<br />

number <strong>of</strong> peaks found in the spectrum. Around 4000 resolved signals were<br />

observed by direct infusion using a (+) APCI-TOF/MS method.<br />

The enlarged mass spectrum in figure 3-23 exhibits two contrasting modes <strong>of</strong><br />

ionisation for each analyte. Low intensity even mass ions accompany their<br />

respective high intensity odd mass ions. Even mass ions are most likely<br />

hydrocarbon molecular ions (or isotope peaks 2 H, 13 C) formed by a loss <strong>of</strong> an<br />

electron due to the role played by N 2 gas while odd mass ions are the significant<br />

ions corresponding to (M-1) + ions <strong>of</strong> hydrocarbons within the waste mixture.<br />

56

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