Gas Chromatography-Analysis Lab
Gas Chromatography (GC) is an analytical method that separates a mixture of molecules into individual chemicals and then determines the amount of each chemical.
About Gas Chromatography
The main components of the gas chromatograph are the injection system, GC oven, chromatography columns, and the detectors. The sample must be introduced into the system using an appropriate injection method; direct injection, thermal desorption, and head space analysis are common.
There are many types of detectors that can be used in combination with the gas chromatograph; mass selective detectors, thermal conductivity detectors, and flame ionization detectors are most common.
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Approaches
The GC oven offers the ability for temperature programming so very volatile compounds as well as less volatile compounds can be evaluated in a single analysis.
The choice of detector depends on the purpose of the analysis but there is no volatile compound that can escape detection. If identification of chemicals is needed, the mass selective detector (mass spectrometer) is the best choice.
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Sample Considerations
A sample must have components that are volatile in order to be appropriate for gas chromatography. Because the gas chromatograph can be heated to 450 °C, a vast array of samples are viable candidates for the GC method.
Samples can be injected directly, injected in a solvent, or desorbed from a sample or absorptive matrix.
A large variety of samples are routinely evaluated using the GC method of analysis. Some examples include:
- Solvent analysis
- Residual monomers in bioabsorbable polymers
- Identification of additives in plastics
- Contamination identification for failure analysis
- Anti-ozonants in rubber products.
Contact us to talk through your specific sample considerations and Gas Chromatography testing needs.
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Experience
Work We’ve Done
- Residual solvent and residual monomers analysis in plastics
- Identity and quantity of brominated flame retardants to determine RoHS compliance
- Purity of an industrial solvent system
Products We’ve Tested
- Alcohol products to determine purity
- Plasticizer content in vinyl products
- Comparative analysis of fiber-reinforced products