Quantitative analysis of trace‐level benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene,and xylene in cellulose acetate tow using headspace heart‐cutting multidimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

This study describes a method for the quantification of trace‐level benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in cellulose acetate tow by heart‐cutting multidimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. As the major volatile component in cellulose acetate tow samples, acetone would be overloaded when attempting to perform a high‐resolution separation to analyze trace benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. With heart‐cutting technology, a larger volume injection was achieved and acetone was easily cut off by employing a capillary column with inner diameter of 0.32 mm in the primary gas chromatography. Only benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were directed to the secondary column to result in an effective separation. The matrix interference was minimized and the peak shapes were greatly improved. Finally, quantitative analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene was performed using an isotopically labeled internal standard. The headspace multidimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry system was proved to be a powerful tool for analyzing trace volatile organic compounds in complex samples.