Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry is widely applied for the identification of polymeric materials.
Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GCMS) is a method of chemical analysis in which the sample is heated to decomposition to produce smaller molecules that are separated by gas chromatography (GC) and detected using mass spectrometry (MS).
Py-GCMS can be used to characterise most materials including insoluble and complex materials at trace levels without any sample pre-treatment such as polymers, plastics, rubber, paints, cellulose, oils and other. Due to the direct sample introduction and the chromatographic separation, it is possible not only to analyse very small amounts but also to obtain detailed, unique information.
Access and Operation
Internal (unimelb) users: Training and self-operation is the preferred option. Request via iLab Training Request.
External users: Fee-for-service is the preferred option. Submit Chem Node Analysis Requests via iLab Request Services.
Visit Chemistry Node Access and Operation for more details.
Contact and Location
Dr Alex Duan (Platform Manager) | Dr Yukie O'Bryan (Technical specialist)
School of Chemistry, Building 154, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010
Experiment details (for researchers):
The equipment used was a hyphenated pyrolysis gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (CDS 6150 pyrolyser; Agilent 7890 GC 5975 MS). The pyrolyser was set at an initial temperature of [25] °C with a ramp rate of [10] °C/millisecond to reach a final temperature of [500] °C and hold for [30] seconds. The interface, valve oven and GC transfer line were all set at 300 °C.
GC was equipped with an HP-5MS column. Its inlet was set at [250] °C with a split ratio of [10:1]. GC oven started at [40] °C and was holding for [1] minute. It then reached to [300] °C with a ramping rate at [20] °C/minute and held for [8] minutes. The MS used an electron impact ion source and scanned a range of [25-550] m/z with quad temperature at 150 °C and MS source temperature at 230 °C.
Note: values marked with [ ] shall be replaced depending on actual experimental conditions.