GC is a high-resolution method for separating volatile and semi-volatile compounds. The gas mixtures are separated based on the differences in component distribution between a stationary phase (e.g. inner coating of a capillary) and a mobile phase (purge gas, e.g. helium). Since this gas separation in the GC column takes a certain amount of time – the duration of which depends upon sample characteristics, column flow rate, column length, and stationary and mobile phase – it is not possible to couple directly into the GC with a continuous online sample gas flow. Our solution, therefore, was to develop a direct coupling in a quasi continuous mode by using heated automatic valves, which allows for software-controlled gas sampling (flow-through sampling loop) and gas injection even at short intervals.
The TG-GC-MS system features:
- Unique TG/STA-GC-MS coupling solution with event-controlled or temperature-dependent triggering
- Perfectly heated gas transfer (300°C) from the TG/STA to the valve box and the injector at the GC
- Fast and wide-range QMS for analysis of the gas chromatogram
- Independent application of GC-MS for liquid/gas injection at any time
For GC-MS coupling, we rely on the world-renowned supplier, Agilent, along with our partner, Joint Analytical Systems (JAS). This allows for perfect GC-MS supply and service quality, as we at NETZSCH expect of any entity with which we do business, in order to guarantee optimized performance for our own products.
The primary scope of TG-GC-MS coupling is to detect, separate and analyze organic components. It is also possible to use the coupled GC-MS for detailed gas analysis to further improve the temperature-programmed pyrolysis of organic materials, biomass, renewable solid fuels, carbonaceous materials, and polymers in the TG/STA. The volatile products emitted during combustion processes can be determined with high sensitivity and resolution at various oxygen content levels.
The highly sensitive GC-MS gas detection and identification capabilities allow for improved analysis of additives, stabilizers, and residual solvents in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and polymers.