Dynamic headspace enrichment/reinjection for open tubular GC/FTIR analysis of volatiles in polymers

An analytical system for the analysis of volatiles entrained in polymers is described. This system is based on a thermal desorption oven connected to a cold trap. After enrichment of headspace vapor, trapped material is reinjected and analyzed by open tubular gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, OTGC/FTIR. The thermal desorption oven is designed to provide different modes of sample introduction: use of a pyroprobe; insertion of a piece of quartz tubing with applied sample; or syringe injection. Headspace enrichment is carried out in a piece of fused silica capillary tubing filled with glass beads. The trap may be cooled either electrically using Peltier elements or with liquid nitrogen. A six-port rotary valve is used for flow switching between enrichment and reinjection modes. All system parameters, temperatures, and timed events, are controlled from the gas chromatograph. Dynamic headspace analysis is demonstrated as a method for polymer characterization.