In the world of material characterization and deformulation, staying ahead of the curve is essential for scientific professionals. That's why we recently co-hosted a webinar with Frontier Lab (https://www.frontier-lab.com/) that delved deep into the world of " Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis-GC-MS for Deformulation and Material Characterization." In this blog, we'll highlight three key takeaways from the webinar, providing you with insights into the revolutionary technology known as "py-GC-MS," or "pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.”
Mass Spectrometry Systems for Thermal Analysis and Pyrolysis-GC-MS
The webinar introduced us to a range of mass spectrometry instruments (Figure 1) specifically designed for thermal desorption and pyrolysis-GC-MS: the
Q1600 GC-MS single quadrupole system, the
TQ4000 GC-MS/MS triple quadrupole system, and the
AccuTOF-GC Alpha reflectron time-of-flight (TOF) system.
Figure 1. JEOL GC-MS systems that can be coupled to pyrolysis. GC-MS (Q1600), GC-MS/MS (TQ4000), and GC-TOF (GC-Alpha).
These
mass spectrometers offer a diverse set of features and capabilities, making them adaptable to a wide array of applications. Whether you're looking for a cost-effective workhorse or a high-resolution instrument with accurate mass measurements, these systems cover it all. Their performance and versatility empower scientists in the field of material characterization and deformulation to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses.
The Micro-Furnace Py-GC-MS Configuration
In the world of analytical chemistry, precision and accuracy are paramount. The micro-furnace pyrolysis-GC-MS system configuration, as detailed in the webinar, sets a new standard for analytical accuracy. This system connects the
Frontier Lab micro-furnace (Figure 2) directly to your GC injection port, ensuring there is no transfer line or cross-contamination. This allows the pyrolyzates to be directly deposited onto your GC column.
Figure 2. The Frontier Lab Multi-Shot pyrolyzer (EGA / PY-3030D).
The innovation of this system goes beyond just accuracy. It allows for the analysis of solid, semi-solid, and liquid samples without the need for solvent dissolution, simplifying and expediting the process. This is further enhanced through automation with the
Auto-Shot Sampler, improving efficiency and making material analysis more accessible.
Data Analysis Software for Pyrolysis-GC-MS Applications
To make sense of the complex data generated by these analyses, the webinar also introduced
Frontier Lab’s F-Search software, a mass spectral software engine that aids in identifying additives and polymers. This software offers four unique libraries for evolved gas analysis (EGA) MS, additive MS, pyrolyzate MS, and polymers, enabling users to create in-house data. It not only identifies compounds but also offers insight into the source of origin for pyrolyzates, greatly enhancing the power of material characterization.
Meanwhile,
msFineAnalysis AI, available exclusively on
JEOL’s AccuTOF GC-Alpha, excels in qualitative analysis, especially when dealing with unknown compounds. This software enables predictive structural analysis for substances not present in databases, making it invaluable for handling complete unknowns. By using both soft ionization and electron ionization data, the software correlates information to ensure comprehensive analysis.
Access the Recorded Pyrolysis-GC-MS Webinar
The “Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis-GC-MS for Deformulation and Material Characterization" webinar provided comprehensive insight into this cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing material characterization. The key takeaways are clear: Frontier Lab’s micro-furnace configuration paired with JEOL’s GC-MS systems offer unprecedented accuracy and flexibility in material analysis.
But don’t take our word for it, watch the full recorded webinar below: