Analytical Series – A Focus on Analytical Pyrolysis

By Adrienne Hoeglund, Ben Paulson, Courtney Gipson

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is an analytical technique for the identification and quanti­tation of a wide variety of volatile and/or semi volatile organic compounds in a mixture. This technique is an indis­pensable tool for analytical laboratories and may be used in a versatile manner to accommodate an assortment of sample types. Such versatility has led to the development of a tech­nique called pyrolysis GC/MS. Pyrolysis GC/MS has been utilized for paints and coatings for many years. During that time, numerous advances have been made in sample introduction, separation, and analysis.

This article briefly reviews some of the basic theories behind the analysis as well as the instrument’s strengths and limitations. This article highlights a step-by-step pyrolysis GC/MS analysis and interpretation of three coating samples focusing on architectural and/or automotive coatings. The samples . are analyzed and the data is discussed in a step-by-step process describing what is observed, what information can be garnered from the data, and some potential uses of that information.