Applications of pyrolysis gas chromatography in an industrial research laboratory

Abstract

Pyrolysis gas chromatography is a powerful analytical technique for the characterisation of macromolecules and has been applied to the solution of many diverse, complex problems. Examples are presented that illustrate its scope in a petrochemical R and D environment. These range from fingerprinting of micro-organisms to the elucidation of the composition and microstructure of synthetic polymers. Its versatility is further exemplified by its role as a novel thermo-volatilisation technique for the direct determination of occluded volatiles and low relative molecular mass additives in polymeric matrices.