Developing Mass Spectrometric Methods for Distinguishing Isomers, Characterizing Complex Mixtures and Determining the Capability of Organic Compounds to Swell Aircraft O-Ring Seals
Abstract
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool for characterization of complex mixtures and determination of the structures of unknown compounds in mixtures. The sensitivity, acquisition speed and the wide range of different ionization methods and analyzers available has positioned mass spectrometry at the forefront of analytical techniques for providing thorough solutions to challenging problems. This dissertation focuses on research using high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry to distinguish ionized structural isomers and using high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled to two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) to determine chemical compositions for aviation fuels, alternative fuels, fuel additives and potential fuels, as well as on research using a variety of tools to determine the effectiveness of organic compounds to swell oring seals commonly found in aircraft fuel circulation systems. Chapter 2 describes the instruments and ionization methods used to complete the research discussed in this dissertation. In Chapter 3, the success at differentiating ionized naphthene-containing structural isomers by using two collision-activated dissociation (CAD) methods, medium-energy collision-activated dissociation (MCAD) in an octupole collision cell and collision-activated dissociation in a linear quadrupole ion trap (ITCAD), is discussed. MCAD and ITCAD measurements were completed in the energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) mode. In Chapter 4, the chemical compositions of petroleum-based aviation fuels, alternative fuels, fuel additives and potential fuels determined by using two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC)/(electron ionization (EI)) high-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (GCxGC/(EI)TOF MS) is discussed. Identification of the compounds in fuels is important as the chemical composition influences the chemical and physical properties of the fuel that affect aircraft performance. Chapter 5 describes the effectiveness of different organic dopants to swell o-ring seals commonly used in airplanes.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Kenttämaa, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Energy|Analytical chemistry|Chemistry|Electromagnetics|Organic chemistry|Pharmaceutical sciences|Physics
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