Plasmion SICRIT® Ionization Set SC-30

Significance of the Topic

The SICRIT® Ionization Set SC-30 upgrades conventional LC-MS instruments with a soft cold-plasma ionization source, enabling real-time, non-target screening of a wide range of compounds—including non-polar species—without extensive method development. This innovation addresses critical needs in environmental monitoring, food and flavor analysis, forensic screening, and process control.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This product note presents the design and performance of the SICRIT® Ionization Set SC-30 as a plug-and-play add-on for LC-MS systems. It aims to demonstrate how flow-through cold plasma ionization can deliver PTR-like soft ionization, enhance sensitivity, and simplify coupling with enrichment or chromatographic modules.

Methodology

The technology operates on a flow-through cold plasma principle: a ring-shaped plasma ignited directly inside the extended MS inlet by a high-frequency AC voltage. Key operational features include stable plasma generation at 10–50 kHz and 0–1100 VAC (up to 3000 Vpp), minimizing geometry optimization and parameter tuning.

Used Instrumentation

• Control Unit SC-30: Stand-alone 100–240 VAC (50–60 Hz) power supply delivering high-voltage AC for plasma ignition and 24 V DC for optional modules.
• SICRIT® Ion Source: Quick-lock mounted ring-shaped plasma source extending the LC-MS inlet.
• Optional Modules: SICRIT® Heated Transfer Line for improved sample transport; SICRIT® GC/SPME Module for coupling gas chromatography and SPME enrichment.

Main Results and Discussion

Implementation on various LC-MS platforms demonstrates:

• Enhanced ion transmission and sensitivity through in-situ plasma generation.
• Soft ionization of both polar and non-polar analytes, yielding abundant molecular ions with minimal fragmentation.
• Instantaneous VOC fingerprinting, exemplified by direct aroma profiling of red wine without sample pretreatment.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

The plug-and-play design supports major vendor platforms (Agilent, Bruker, Sciex, Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher, Waters) and offers:

• Direct, online screening of volatile compounds for quality assurance and process monitoring.
• Non-targeted forensic and environmental analyses with high-resolution mass spectrometry (TOF, Orbitrap).
• Flexible workflows via modular sample introduction and chromatographic coupling options.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Anticipated developments include:

• Integration with advanced separation techniques (e.g., GC×GC, SFC) using dedicated SICRIT® modules.
• Automation and AI-driven data processing for real-time analytical decision support.
• Deployment in portable and field-ready systems for on-site environmental and industrial monitoring.

Conclusion

The SICRIT® Ionization Set SC-30 provides a user-friendly, universally compatible soft ionization source for LC-MS instruments. Its straightforward setup, broad analyte coverage, and high sensitivity position it as a valuable tool for both routine laboratory analyses and cutting-edge research applications.