Reproducibility of Air Sampling using the CAM 5000

Importance of the Topic

Reliable air sampling is critical for environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance, while advanced polymer analysis enables formulators to uncover hidden additives and protect intellectual property.

Study Objectives and Overview

• Assess the reproducibility of air sampling using the CAM 5000 purge-and-trap system under EPA guidelines.
• Demonstrate the capability of GPC-IR hyphenated technology to de-formulate a complex polymer mixture and identify key additives.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Air Sampling: A six‐component standard was spiked into a Tedlar bag, equilibrated for 18 hours, and sampled at 20 mL/min for 5 minutes onto a Tenax trap. Desorption onto a GC column was performed at 280 °C for 3 minutes. Analysis was conducted on a Varian 3700 GC with FID, using a 30 m SE-54 column and a temperature program from 35 °C to 210 °C.
• Polymer De-Formulation: The complex polymer sample was separated by GPC-IR, capturing full-range FTIR spectra of eluting fractions. Spectral features were matched against an IR database to identify additives and their suppliers.

Main Results and Discussion

• CAM 5000 reproducibility tests showed an average relative standard deviation of 3.1 % in peak areas over ten runs, confirming stable pump flow and sampling time.
• GPC-IR analysis resolved three major components: an aliphatic polyester resin, a Sensol L-53 polyurethane, and Desmodur LS-2800 (a latent TDI-based cross-linker). Spectral diagnostics provided clear functional group assignment.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• The CAM 5000 offers reliable, timed or continuous sampling for EPA Methods T0-1 to T0-14, with integrated flow monitoring and trap-based concentration for trace-level VOCs.
• GPC-IR hyphenation allows formulators to rapidly deconstruct polymer formulations, verify additive composition, and support competitive intelligence and quality control.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Integration of real-time flow sensors and AI-driven data analysis for on-site air quality assessment.
• Expansion of GPC-IR spectral libraries and machine learning classifiers for automated polymer de-formulation.
• Development of portable GC-IR platforms for field-based polymer and environmental analysis.

Conclusion

The CAM 5000 demonstrates excellent reproducibility for trace gas sampling under EPA conditions. GPC-IR technology effectively separates and identifies concealed polymer additives, empowering environmental and materials scientists with actionable chemical insights.

References

• Federal Regulations. J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. 1990.
• Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants. Proceedings of the 1990 EPS/A&WMA International Symposium.