Identification of plasticizers using thermal desorption dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry

Plasticizers, which are extensively utilized in the manufacturing of plastic products, have garnered significant attention due to their potential toxicity and the consequent health and environmental risks they pose. Traditional methods for detecting plasticizers, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), are often time-consuming and require complex sample preparation. In response to these challenges, this study introduces an innovative approach for the rapid and sensitive identification of seven common plasticizers using thermal desorption dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry (TD-DBDI-MS). The proposed technique significantly reduces background interference by employing nitrogen as the discharge gas, thereby enabling the detection of characteristic quasi-molecular ions ([M + H]⁺) and their fragments, which are crucial for structural elucidation. The method exhibits remarkable sensitivity, with a limit of detection as low as 0.1 ppm for diethyl phthalate and a linear dynamic range of orders of magnitude. Furthermore, it allows for expedited screening of various plastic products, including cling wrap, packaging bags, and centrifuge tubes, with each sample analyzed in less than 30 seconds. This study underscores the efficacy of TD-DBDI-MS as a rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly methodology for the preliminary screening of plasticizers in a wide range of materials.