Analysis of waterborne paints by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry witha temperature-programmable pyrolyzer

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CC-MS) with a temperature-programmabl e pyrolyzer was used for the analysis of waterborne paints. Evolved gas ana lysis (EGA) profiles of the waterborne paints were obtained by this tempera ture-programmed pyrolysis directly coupled with MS via a deactivated metal capillary tube. The EGA profile suggested the optimal thermal desorption co nditions for solvents and additives and the subsequent optimal pyrolysis te mperature for the remaining polymeric material. Polymers were identified fr om pyrograms with the assistance of a new polymer library. The solvents wer e identified from the electron ionization mass spectra with the correspondi ng chemical ionization mass spectra. The additive was identified as zinc py rithione by comparison with authentic standard. Zinc pyrithione cannot be a nalyzed by GC-MS as it is. However, the thermal decomposition products of z inc pyrithione could be detected. The information on the decomposition temp erature and products was useful for the identification of the original comp ound. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.