1. Anadarko Undergraduate Fellowships for Excellence in Energy Research
Broad Spectrum Analysis of a Complex Hydrocarbon Mixture by Mass Spectrometry
By Bhagya Gunatilleke
Project Funded by
Anadarko Undergraduate Fellowships for Excellence in Energy Research

2. Fischer Tropsch Reaction
Gas to liquids reaction
n CO + (n+1) H CnH(2n+2)+ n H2O
Reaction conditions : ͦC for 24 hr
Catalyst – Co (Nano-particles)
PVP(polyvinylpyrrolydone) as a surfactant

3. Strategy for complex sample analysis
F-T products
Analysis of polar molecules
Analysis of non-polar molecules
MALDI-MS
GC-MS

4. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization
Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)
MALDI Plate

5. Preparation for MALDI/MS analysis
The MALDI plate
The sample
The matrix

6. MALDI-MS analysis of F-T sample

7. Conclusions from initial MALDI-MS analysis….
Indicates highly complex mixture of low MW polar compounds
These polar compounds may have acid/base behavior

8. Extraction using Distilled H2O
Analysis of acidic and basic compounds in the F-T mixture: Extraction using HCl & NaOH
pH 5
pH 7
pH 11
Extraction using HCl
Extraction using Distilled H2O
Extraction using NaOH
MALDI-MS Analysis

9. pH 5 organic phase Linear positive ion mode
pH 5 aqueous phase
Linear positive ion mode
pH 5 organic phase Linear positive ion mode
Existance of polar compounds such as R-COOH & R-NH3.

10. pH 11 aqueous phase Reflector negative ion mode
pH 11 organic phase
Reflector negative ion mode
pH 11 aqueous phase Reflector negative ion mode

11. Conclusions of the MALDI-MS measurements….
Confirmation of the existence of acidic and basic compounds

12. Strategy for complex sample analysis
F-T products
Analysis of polar molecules
Analysis of non-polar molecules
MALDI-MS
GC-MS

13. GC/MS analysis of the sample

14. Extracted Ion Chromatogram (XIC) for m/z = 57 (Alkanes)

15. Extracted Ion Chromatogram (XIC) for m/z = 91, 105 (methylbenzenes)

16. Conclusions of the GC-MS measurements….
A complex mixture of non-polar compounds
Confirmed existence of
Alkanes
Methyl benzenes
Needs further analysis of spectra

17. Acknowledgements
Research project partner - Cody Cervenka, Department of Chemistry
Mentor – Dr. Franco Basile, Department of Chemistry
Project request – Dr. M. Fan, Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Samples provided by Feng Guo, Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Project Funded by Anadarko Undergraduate Fellowships for Excellence in Energy Research