Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry of Polymeric Materials

Abstract

A review. Pyrolysis technique hyphenated to gas chromatog./mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has extended the range of possible tools for characterization of synthetic polymers/copolymers. Under controlled conditions at elevated temp. (500-1400°) in the presence of an inert gas, reproducible decompn. products characteristic of the original polymer/copolymer sample are formed. The pyrolysis products are chromatog. sepd. by a fused silica capillary column and subsequently identified by interpretation of the obtained mass spectra or by mass spectra libraries (e.g. NIST, Wiley. etc.). Pyrolysis methods eliminate the need for pre-treatment by performing analyzes directly on the solid polymer/copolymer sample. Examples of application of this anal. technique for identification of different polymeric materials are demonstrated. The applications of anal. pyrolysis-gas chromatog./mass spectrometry range from research and development of new materials, quality control, characterization and competitor product evaluation, medicine, biol. and biotechnol., geol., airspace,environmental anal. to forensic purposes or conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. These applications cover anal. and identification of polymers/copolymers and additives in components of automobiles, tires, packaging materials, textile fibers, coatings, half-finished products for electronics, paints or varnishes, lacquers, leather, paper or wood products, food, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, and fragrances. [on SciFinder(R)]