Identification and quantification of plastic additives using pyrolysis-GC/MS: A review

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Polymer Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Analysis of organic plastic additives (OPAs) in plastic polymers is an area of increasing scientific interest.
• Traditional methods for OPA analysis often involve extensive sample preparation and risk contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the characteristics and development of multi-step pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for OPA identification and semi-quantification.
• To highlight the advantages of Py-GC/MS over conventional analytical techniques for OPA analysis.

Main Methods:

• The review focuses on (multi-step) pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS).
• It examines various aspects of sample preparation, including particle weight and size, and calibration strategies.

Main Results:

• Py-GC/MS offers advantages such as reduced sample preparation, minimized solvent contamination, and the ability to analyze minute particles.
• The technique allows for the successive analysis of OPAs and the polymeric matrix from the same sample.
• Numerous methods for OPA identification and semi-quantification have been reported, though a gold standard is yet to be established due to OPA diversity and potential interferences.

Conclusions:

• Py-GC/MS is a valuable tool for the analysis of OPAs in plastic polymers.
• Future methodological developments should aim to better characterize the limits of Py-GC/MS for quantifying specific OPAs in different polymer matrices.