Hyphenated Technology

TG-GC/MS: Thermogravimetric - Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The ability to detect very low levels of material (known and unknown) in complex mixtures makes the TG-GC/MS a powerful tool for quality control, safety, and product development. Heating a sample on the TGA causes a sample to release volatile materials and/or generate gaseous components upon decomposition. These gases are then transferred via a high-fidelity heated transfer system to the GC, where the components can be collected on a trapping media, in a gas sampling loop, or deposited on the head of a column. The sample can then be run by GC to separate the material, and the peaks identified by the MS.

• TG-GC/MS Mode:
  • User customizable triggers based on temperature, time or weight change
  • Fast GC analysis with the GC 2400 Platform to achieve analysis of multiple weight losses during a single run
  • Ability to switch to ‘on-line’ direct-to-MS mode at the push of a button
• PyroTG-GC/MS Mode:
  • Rapid pyrolysis of the sample at elevated temperature
  • Improved detection limits
  • Ability to measure samples in complex environmental matrices
  • Flexibility –switch from GC separation (TG-GC/MS mode) to Single Ion Monitoring (TG-MS mode) to TGA and/or GC/MS only mode quickly and easily

TG-IR-GC/MS: Thermogravimetric - Infrared - Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Hyphenating TG-IR-GC/MS is a powerful approach for analysis of an unknown mixture to determine its primary components and identify additives or contaminants. This information may be needed to evaluate a competitor’s product, determine compliance with regulations, or understand a material’s composition. The TG-IR-GC/MS configuration enables TG-IR-GC/MS analysis on a sample by moving every component in the off gases to the FT-IR and/or GC/MS after their evolution in the TGA while maintaining complete sample integrity.

A few advantages of this system include:

• Performance- all the benefits of individual TG-IR and TG-GC/MS systems
• Ability to collect real-time FT-IR data while carrying out the survey scan used to GC/MS data collection
• Possibility of using each technique as stand alone or in any combination

Digital Controller and Intelligent Transfer Line

• User controllable flow rate (0-200 mL/min)
• Individual temperature control for each part of the transfer line (ambient – 350 °C)
• Constant pressure inside the TGA furnace
• Quantitative and qualitative results can be reached as well as reproducible analysis without stagnation of corrosive gas in the furnace.
• Selectable analysis modes in TGA-GC/MS:
  • GC/MS
  • ‘On-line’ direct-to-MS
  • Multiple injections for samples with multiple weight-losses