Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry
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| Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry | |
| Acronym | PyGCMS |
|---|---|
| Classification | Mass spectrometry |
| Analytes | synthetic polymers biomolecules |
| Other Techniques | |
| Related | gas chromatography |
Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry is a method of chemical analysis in which the sample is heated to decomposition to produce smaller molecules that are separated by gas chromatography and detected using mass spectrometry.[1]
Contents |
[edit] How it works
Pyrolysis is the thermal dissociation of materials in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum. The sample is put into direct contact with a platinum wire, or placed in a quartz boat inside a platinum coil, and rapidly heated to 600 – 800 C. Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller, more volatile fragments. Various methylating reagents, which increase the volatility of polar fragments, can be added to a sample before pyrolysis. These fragments can then be separated on a gas chromatograph (GC).
[edit] Applications
Pyrolysis gas chromatography is very useful for the identification of synthetic polymeric media, such as acrylics or alkyds, and synthetic varnishes.[2] It can also be used for environmental samples.[3], including fossils.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Halket JM, Zaikin VG (2006). "Derivatization in mass spectrometry --7. On-line derivatisation/degradation". European journal of mass spectrometry (Chichester, England) 12 (1): 1–13. doi:. PMID 16531644.
- ^ National Gallery of Art Conservation: Scientific Research. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
- ^ Janos P (2003). "Separation methods in the chemistry of humic substances". Journal of chromatography. A 983 (1-2): 1–18. PMID 12568366.
- ^ Poinar HN (2002). "The genetic secrets some fossils hold". Acc. Chem. Res. 35 (8): 676–84. PMID 12186573.
