A New Look at Direct Compound Analysis Using Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract For direct compound analysis, pyrolysis mass spectrometry offers renewed hope that the time-consuming and costly separations currently required can be bypassed, at least in part. Polymer blends and copolymers are readily identified along with certain additives. The ability to achieve this information quickly from a single experiment is a valuable improvement. However, more work needs to be done to identify curatives, oils, and higher molecular weight rubber chemicals in compounds. For example, the mass range scanned needs to be expanded to detect higher molecular ions. Temperature-programmed Py-MS may prove useful in separating the more volatile components (nonpolymeric oils and organic additives) for easier detection. Future work will also assess the quantitative potential of the technique. The success with experiments on CPVC materials using pattern recognition techniques opens up a new dimension for compound analysis. Besides being able to determine composition, selected information about reaction mechanisms, morphology, physical properties, or other important parameters may now be possible.