Identification & Quantification of Microplastics Using Pyrolysis-GC/MS

In this white paper, we focus on how researchers can power their microplastics analysis by leveraging the power of Pyrolysis-GC/MS.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a highly sensitive analytical technique that can provide in-depth composition data necessary for microplastic characterization. However, conventional GC/MS sample introduction is incompatible with direct analysis of solids. By coupling GC/MS with a micro-furnace pyrolysis for sample introduction, the pyrolysis-GC/MS (py-GC/MS) approach can yield information-rich data about additives and polymers using a variety of operational modes. In addition to the instrumental capabilities offered by pyrolysis-GC/MS for microplastics analysis, the F-Search Engine from Frontier Laboratories enables rapid identification of species through automated comparisons of pyrograms, thermograms, chromatograms, and mass spectra to known additives and polymers within the vast libraries.