ASTM Method for Analyzing Regulated Phthalates in a Complex Matrix using Micro-Furnace Thermal Desorption-GC/MS

Phthalates have been used as additives in plastics and other industries for many years. Phthalates are globally regulated, and several traditional analytical techniques can be used for their identification. Many of these traditional techniques require sample pretreatment, are time-consuming, and make it difficult to achieve accuracy in in quantification.

Over recent years, manufacturers have switched formulations to include unregulated phthalates. Generally, phthalates are identified using both retention time and MS spectra. However, it can be difficult to differentiate between the regulated and unregulated phthalates, due to having similar retention times and MS spectra.

To respond to these analytical challenges, thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) has been developed as the most accurate and automated method for phthalate analysis. TD-GC/MS also eliminates sample pretreatments and solvent extractions.

This webinar is the basis of the existing ASTM method for regulating phthalates using the micro-furnace TD-GC/MS technique.

By attending his webinar, you will learn how to:

• Identify and quantify the regulated phthalates in a complex matrix using micro furnace TD-GC/MS based on the ASTM D7823 method

• Replace the traditional solvent extraction techniques with thermal extraction for the most accurate and automated results

• Apply the “Method Map” to thermally extract and identify other additives or compounds of interest from the polymeric portion

Presenter: Rojin Belganeh (Technical Director, Frontier Lab Americas)

Rojin Belganeh is the Technical Director at Frontier Lab Americas. Rojin graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She started her profession as an analytical chemist at Nalco Champion-An Ecolab company in 2012. As an analytical chemist, Rojin worked with various analytical instruments, such as Pyrolysis GCMS, TGA, FTIR, and X-Rays for material characterization, polymer identification, and contamination analysis. She also holds an MBA degree concentrating in strategic marketing from the University of Houston-Victoria. As a former user for more than five years, Rojin joined Frontier Laboratories in May of 2017. She is very passionate in creating awareness about Frontier technology and providing technical support to users.