Direct thermal extraction is a sensitive technique for the analysis of residual compounds in solid matrices such as polymers, films, powders, and fibers. This approach can be used for both qualitative identification of unknowns as well as quantification of trace components.
Quantification of analytes is often performed based on off-line spiking of liquid or gaseous standards onto a thermal desorption tube containing a sorbent material. Instrument calibration can also be performed based on liquid introduction of standards into the gas chromatograph which usually involves removal of the thermal desorption system or moving the column from one injector to another.
In this study, a GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler (MPS 2) combined with a Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU) was configured to enable direct thermal extraction of solid materials combined with automated liquid calibration for unattended operation and high throughput. An optimized method for the analysis of residual solvents in tape samples was developed, illustrating the utility of this technique.
