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Hyphenation of a thermobalance to soft single photon ionisation mass spectrometry for evolved gas analysis in thermogravimetry (TG-EGA)

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Abstract

The potential of hyphenating thermogravimetry (TG) and soft photo ionisation mass spectrometry (EBEL-SPI-MS) for fundamental and applied research and material analysis has been demonstrated by a newly developed TG-SPI quadrupole MS coupling (TG-SPI-QMS). Thermal decomposition of three common plastics, polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) has been studied. While the decomposition of PE and PS in inert atmosphere takes place in a one step process (main mass loss at about 490 and 420 °C, respectively), PVC decomposes in a two step mechanism. The organic signature of the PE decomposition shows homologous series of alkenes and polyenes, while PS is forming mainly styrene mono- and oligomers. In the PVC decomposition, firstly hydrogen chloride (HCl) is eliminated in a hydro-dechlorination reaction (1st mass loss step: 285–305 °C), this is accompanied by the emission of the carbon skeletons of small aromatics (predominately benzene and naphthalene). In the second step (2nd mass loss step: 490–510 °C), the residual cross-linked polyolefin moieties decompose under release of heavily alkylated aromatics, including larger PAH. Chlorinated aromatics are formed only in trace levels.

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Acknowledgements

Funding from the Bavarian Science Foundation (Bayerische Forschungsstiftung, BFS) and support from Netzsch Gerätebau GmbH, Selb, Germany is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany

    M. Saraji-Bozorgzad, R. Geißler, T. Streibel & R. Zimmermann

  2. Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Universität Rostock, 18051, Rostock, Germany

    M. Saraji-Bozorgzad, R. Geißler, T. Streibel, M. Sklorz & R. Zimmermann

  3. Netzsch-Gerätebau GmbH, 95100, Selb, Germany

    E. Kaisersberger & T. Denner

  4. bifa-Umweltinstitut GmbH, 86167, Augsburg, Germany

    R. Zimmermann

Authors
  1. M. Saraji-Bozorgzad
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  2. R. Geißler
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  3. T. Streibel
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  4. M. Sklorz
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  5. E. Kaisersberger
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  6. T. Denner
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  7. R. Zimmermann
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Correspondence to R. Zimmermann.

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Saraji-Bozorgzad, M., Geißler, R., Streibel, T. et al. Hyphenation of a thermobalance to soft single photon ionisation mass spectrometry for evolved gas analysis in thermogravimetry (TG-EGA). J Therm Anal Calorim 97, 689–694 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0069-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0069-5

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