TD-GC-MS analysis

What is TD-GC-MS used for?

TD-GC-MS is a versatile technique that finds applications in multiple industries and research areas. Popular applications include: 

• Monitoring volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) released from construction materials, such as paints and adhesives, or consumer products, such as toys and cosmetics. Excessive VOC concentrations (of formaldehyde, toluene, etc.) are a relatively common reason for product recalls within the EU.

• VOC and SVOC analysis of environmental samples like water and soil to monitor pollution levels.

• Quantifying extractable and leachable VOCs released by pharmaceutical or medical device packaging.

• Detection of organic contaminants on silicon wafers in the semiconductor industry.

• Characterization and quantification of flavor and fragrance components in food and pharmaceutical industries.

How does thermal desorption work?

Thermal desorption works by heating the sample to a point where the volatile and semi-volatile components it contains are vaporized. These components are channeled to an absorbent trap, which collects and concentrates them. The adsorbent trap is then heated, causing the volatiles to be released and passing them through a GC-MS system where they are separated and analyzed.

Sample requirements and preparation

TD-GC-MS can be performed on samples of all phases, as long as they contain suitable volatile target components. Attention has to be paid to optimizing the sorbent selection, as this directly impacts the range and accuracy of compound detection and quantification.

Advantages and limitations of thermal desorption in GC-MS analysis

Thermal desorption is a valuable tool for selectively removing and concentrating compounds, offering enhanced sensitivity and enabling the detection of trace-level contaminants. The extent of sample preparation is also reduced when compared with solvent extraction, and the user is not exposed to toxic solvents.

The key limitation of TD is that different types of adsorbent traps will have a different propensity to capture different volatile compounds. Selecting the optimal sorbent may require prior knowledge of the target analytes or additional testing if the composition is unknown, introducing an element of trial-and-error when dealing with complex or unfamiliar samples.