Materials Characterization Using Thermogravimetry Coupled to Triple Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)

Abstract

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with sequential mass spectrometry (MS/MS) offers unambiguous structural identification of compounds evolving during thermo-degradative processes without interrupting the TGA-mass spectrometer analytical procedure. MS/MS identification of co-evolving compounds, combined with the weight-loss data obtained from TGA, furnishes a means of delineating complex thermolytic pathways. The compatibility of TGA (an atmospheric pressure technique) with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI), as offered on the TAGA® 6000 MS/MS system, permits an interface which is easily coupled and decoupled making the system “user-friendly” and well suited to routine quality control and trouble-shooting applications.