Chemistry facilities

The Mass Spectrometry Facility in the School of Chemistry provides analytical services for researchers within the school, other researchers at the University of Sydney, as well as users outside the University. 

There are six mass spectrometers in the Facility and low resolution and high-resolution spectra can be obtained by most ionisation techniques. Two instruments are jointly administered with other departments.

Bookings for the Facility (including requests for training to run samples yourself) can be made through the online booking system (internal access only) or by contacting Dr Nick Proschogo.

Bruker amaZon SL mass spectrometer (ESI, APCI, APPI, direct probe, nanoSpray)

The amaZon is a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer obtained in 2015. The mass range of this instrument is m/z 50-4000 and the ion trap is ideally suited for MS/MS and MSn experiments with fast polarity switching.  Ionisation modes available include ESI, APCI (liquid and direct probe), APPI (liquid and direct probe), online nanospray source (Captivespray nanoBooster source) and a home-built offline nanospray source. The mass spectrometer can be connected to an Agilent 1100 HPLC with binary pump, diode array detector and column heater.

Perkin Elmer Clarus 680 SQ 8 C GC/MS GC/MS (EI, CI)

The Clarus SQ 8 C is a quadrupole mass spectrometer obtained in 2016 with a mass range of m/z 4-1000 in full scan or selective ion mode. Ionisation modes include EI and CI using methane as the reactive gas. The mass spectrometer is connected to a Clarus 680 GC which can perform automated liquid injections, manual headspace and manual SPME injections.

Bruker autoflex speed LRF MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer

This Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization – Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer was obtained in 2015. This instrument can operate in linear (1-300,000 Da) or reflectron mode. The mass spectrometer is equipped with a TLC-MALDI holder and flexImaging software to allow MALDI-imaging experiments for TLC/tissue samples prepared in Sydney Mass Spectrometry. It is capable of performing high energy MS/MS experiments using post source decay either with or without a collision cell. Polymerix software to aid in co-polymer interpretation and biotools for proteomic analysis are also available.

Bruker Solarix 2xR 7T Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (FTICR) (ESI, APCI, APPI, direct probe, nanoSpray, MALDI)

The 7 Tesla FTICR was commissioned in late 2018. This high resolution (450,000 @ 1Hz and 400 m/z, 20,000,000 maximum resolving power) instrument has an actively shielded, refrigerated superconducting magnet allowing a mass accuracy of 600ppb. It is equipped with an ESI/MALDI dual source and has a nanospray (Captivespray nanoBooster source), a home-built offline nanospray source, APCI and APPI (dissolved and solid probe) ionisation methods either via syringe infusion or connection with a Waters Acquity UPLC H-Class with PDA detector. Fragmentation options include CID (in source, in collision cell or in ICR cell), ECD and ETD. SciLS software is available to allow visualisation of MALDI-FTMS imaging experiments for TLC/tissue samples prepared in Sydney Mass Spectrometry.

Perkin Elmer Nexion 350X Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS)

The Perkin Elmer Nexion 350X Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer was purchased and commissioned in 2015 by the School of Geosciences and is jointly administered between the School of Geoscience and School of Chemistry. It is an instrument used to measure trace concentrations of metals and some non-metals. This instrument is set-up to handle liquid samples; therefore most samples will require pre-treatment/acid digestion and/or dilution prior to analysis. The benefits of this instrument include rapid multi element quantitative analysis, very low limits of detection, isotopic analysis and a wide dynamic range. It is equipped with universal cell technology and has Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) available to allow removal of molecular interferences. It is equipped with a 240-sample position autosampler for 10mL sample tubes.

Perkin Elmer Nexion 2000B Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS)

The Perkin Elmer Nexion 2000B Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer was purchased and commissioned in 2018 by Sydney Nano, and is jointly administered between Sydney Nano and School of Chemistry. It is an instrument used to measure trace concentrations of metals and some non-metals. This instrument is set-up to primarily handle nanoparticles (characterisation of particle size distributions), cell culture samples (determination of attogram abundance of a metal in individual cells) or bacteria cultures. It is equipped with an ESI SC-µ DX autosampler capable of running samples off a 96 well plate or 2mL tubes.

The Mass Spectrometry Facility provides analytical services for organic compounds, biochemical compounds and organo-metallic compounds. To submit a sample, please fill out the Sample Submission Form and send it with the sample to the Mass Spectrometry Facility, Room 223, Madsen Building, F09 The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006  by mail or in person. 

To obtain a mass spectrum, the sample must first be ionized. The ionization techniques available in the Unit are EI, CI, MALDI, ESI and APCI at present. Each technique has its own advantages and limitations. Please consult the staff in the facility if you cannot decide which of the techniques would be suitable for your sample. 
 
Samples should be submitted in a sample screw-cap vial or 1.5 mL Eppendorf tube labelled with a sample identification code. About 0.1 mg to 1 mg of solid or liquid samples is required. For normal EI or CI MS, solvent free and pure samples are preferred because solvents or impurities may suppress the peaks of interests and complicate the structure analysis. For MALDI, ESI, APCI, GC/MS or LC/MS, please specify solvent. For samples requiring GC/MS analysis, a GC trace and the column conditions should be provided, if possible.

The charges (per sample) for services performed by the Mass Spectrometry Facility are listed below:

¹Special rates will also apply for investigators involved in the ARC LIEF grant used to obtain the FTICR.

²NexION 350X School of Chemistry price is also for School of Geoscience. NexION 2000B School of Chemistry price is also for all members of Sydney Nano and this cost does not include calibration standards required for analysis.

Other services such as extensive sample preparation, data interpretation, LC/MS, MS/MS, MALDI imaging etc. will be charged by the hour in negotiation with Mass Spectrometry staff. External invoices will include an additional 10% GST charge. The costs of analysis may be discussed with the staff of the Mass Spectrometry Facility.

Non-University of Sydney charges apply to all external users, whether affiliated to the School/University or not. They also apply to any contract research or consultative work performed by members of the School or University. If in doubt, it may be discussed with the staff of the Mass Spectrometry Facility.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems

Available for automated analysis and separation of complex mixtures in quantities ranging from milligram to gram scale. 
 
Types of separation techniques available: 

• Reverse phase (typically hydrophobic compounds)
• Normal phase (typically for hydrophilic compounds)
• Chiral separation (for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds)
• Size exclusion (for large compounds, eg peptides and proteins)

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LCMS)

Provides high throughput analysis including separation of mixtures and mass data of each component.

School of Chemistry users, please login via the  HPLC Separation Facility website. 
 
Note: All users must be trained and certified before use.

The primary role of the Thermophysical Properties Facility (TPF) is to provide research support to School of Chemistry staff and students. TPF services are also available to external clients.  

The TPF operates a number of specialist instruments capable of measuring diverse physical properties over a large range of temperatures including: Magnetic Susceptibility, Heat Capacity, Electrical Resistivity, ThermoGravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry.  
 
Staff of the TPF provide a range of consulting services, technical assistance and training. Samples can be submitted for a range of magnetic or calorimetric measurements. 

Bookings for the Facility can be made through the online booking system (internal access only) or by emaling us at: chemistry.tpf@sydney.edu.au

Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) with sample measurement from 2 to 400 K in magnetic fields up to 9 T. This system is equipped with the following accessories: Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), VSM oven (measurement up to 1,000 K), AC Magnetic Susceptibility (ACMS), Heat Capacity and Resistivity options.

Quantum Design Dynacool Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) with ultra-low temperature capability. Sample measurement from 1.8K to 400 K in magnetic fields up to 9 T. This system can be used with the following accessories: Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), VSM oven (measurement up to 1,000 K), Fibre Optic Sample Holder (FOSH) for VSM, AC Magnetic Susceptibility (ACMS), Heat Capacity, Resistivity, Thermal Transport, Horizontal Rotator, Torque Magnetometer and Electrical Transport. The Heat Capacity accessory can be used down to 50 mK with the 3He dilution option.

Quantum Design Versalab with sample measurement from 50 to 400 K in magnetic fields up to 3 T with a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), a VSM oven (measurement up to 1,000 K), Heat Capacity and Resistivity options.

TA Instruments Discovery Thermogravimetric Analyser (TGA). Capable of collecting sample mass change from ambient to 1,200 °C with a 4-channel gas blending system and 10^-7g resolution. 

Perkin Elmer Pyris 1 Thermogravimetric Analyser (TGA) with a measurement range from ambient to 1000°C and 10^-7g resolution. This instrument is capable of performing TGA measurements with static and dynamic gas atmospheres.

TA Instruments 2920 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) with a data collection range from 100 °C to 600 °C is capable of collecting data without the use of liquid nitrogen.

Mettler Toledo Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) 823e. This instrument has a measurement range from -165 °C to 600 °C and is used to measure heat flow in a sample which can yield information about glass transition temperatures, melting and crystallisation events, oxidative stability and much more. Capable of collecting modulated DSC data.

MicroCal Isothermal Titration Calorimeter (iTC200) with a measurement range from 2 to 80 °C is used to study low volume, in solution biomolecular interactions.  

The facility operates on a subsidised cost recovery basis for Australian academic and government clients, and on a full cost recovery basis for others. The PPMS is charged in 24 hour blocks (10am-10am) or part thereof.  

The other instrument charges are per peak hour, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. After hours/weekend (building access only available to University of Sydney Chemistry staff and students) rates are half peak hour rates. Overnight (5pm-9am) costs the same as two peak hours. Charges listed below are for instrument use only. Extra Staff Scientist's time for training in use of the instruments and services such as running your samples for you, filling nitrogen dewars, etc. will be charged at $50/h for University of Sydney users and $100/h for external clients.  

* Internal USYD user rates will apply to external CIs on the relevant ARC LIEF

A relatively small extra charge, our cost price, may need to be applied for clients who use substantial quantities of consumables (e.g. PPMS VSM sample tubes are $11 each, DSC pans are $4 each. 
 
Most DSC measurements require LN2. One 50L dewar will support several measurements - 50 litre, LN2 dewar $50 – including Staff Scientist time to fill it. 
 
All charges apply regardless of the "success" of the experiment.

• The Quartz High Performance Computing Facility (Quartz HPC) provides specialised computational resources to support the theoretical and experimental chemistry community at the School of Chemistry and other associated users
  
• The facility provides computational resources to perform sophisticated data analysis, with further details at the Quartz HPC webpage at Quartz HPC Facility (Link requires VPN access)
• Consultation about various computational and software programming methods is also available by contacting the administrator (Dr Matthew Sale)

• The facility currently contains six PowerEdge R730 nodes as its primary compute workforce each with 24 cores, 128 GB RAM and 20Gbe networking connections. 
  
• The facility also contains more than 35TB of shared storage on the dedicated network attached storage.
• Numerous chemistry simulation packages are installed on the HPC cluster and requests can be made to install additional software.
• Further details and training resources can be found at the Quartz HPC Facility website (Link requires VPN access)

• Access request forms are available at the following website Quartz HPC Access (Link requires VPN access)