Detection of organic products of polymer pyrolysis by thermogravimetry-supersonic jet-skimmer time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TG-Skimmer-SPI-TOFMS) using an electron beam pumped rare gas excimer VUV-light source (EBEL) for soft photo ionisation

A commercial thermogravimetry—supersonic jet-skimmer quadrupole mass spectrometer system (TG-Skimmer-QMS, Netzsch GmbH, Germany) was successfully converted for soft single photon ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometric (SPI-TOFMS) detection of organic compounds. VUV light for SPI was generated by an electron beam pumped argon excimer light source (EBEL; E _photon = 9.8 eV). Furthermore, the versatility of the system was conserved, as high temperature TG and DSC measurements as well as electron ionisation mass spectrometry for the detection of inorganic compounds are still possible. The new system was tested with two polymers and a hydrocarbon mixture (diesel). It was demonstrated that aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds can be detected without fragmentation. Thus the system allows the recording of a readily interpretable organic signature of, e.g. thermal polymer decomposition. The thermal degradation of polystyrene shows a rich signature of the monomer, some oligomers and minor products of irregular cleavings of carbon chains. Polycarbonate exhibits a thermal decomposition fingerprint which is dominated by products of bisphenol A. The bisphenol A monomer, however, is also detectable.