Py-GC-MS calibration standards
Synthetic polymer calibration standards for Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Select polymer type, diluent and polymer concentration between 1.0 µg/mg (0.1%) to 50 µg/mg (5.0%).
Production
Cryomilled, general purpose microplastic fragments (not guaranteed additive-free) sieved through 300 mesh (<50 µm particles), yielding at least n = 100 particles per mg (at lowest concentration of 0.5 µg/mg) and ensuring consistent homogeneity across typical 4 mg sample sizes. Microplastic fragments in dry, neat (powder) format are mixed with either SiO₂ or CaCO₃ diluent (calcined at 530°C), according to your requirements, to achieve the desired polymer concentration. The stock blends undergoes 14 hours of mechanical mixing with the addition of eight 304 stainless-steel beads ranging from Ø = 2.0 to 5.5 mm to ensure homogeneous particle distribution. The final blend undergoes also undergoes 14 hours of mechanial mixing with the addition of three Ø = 3.0 mm 316L stainless-steel beads.
Polymer type(s)
- Single-polymer blends: A single polymer in either SiO₂ or CaCO₃ diluent OR in polymer powder format without diluent.
- Standard kit: 7 common polymers [LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, PET, PS, PC] in SiO₂ or CaCO₃ diluent. All polymers in equivalent ratios.
- Advanced kit: 14 common polymers [+ SBR, ABS, PMMA, PA6, PA6.6, PU {thermoset} & TPU {thermoplastic}]. Choose either: (1) all polymers in SiO₂ diluent with polyurethanes provided separately in CaCO₃ diluent, or (2) all polymers in CaCO₃ diluent. In both cases, polymers are present in equivalent ratios.
Important: In polymer kits, each polymer is supplied at the same concentration. For example, if you select 1 µg/mg, you will receive 1 µg/mg of each polymer individually, rather than 1 µg/mg for the total polymer mixture. Note: LDPE and HDPE are treated as separate polymers; in this example, each will be present at 1 µg/mg, resulting in a total PE concentration of 2 µg/mg in the sample.
Unit size
Single-polymer calibration standards are available in 0.5 g and 1.0 g aliquots at 149.95€ and 199.95€, respectively, regardless of polymer- and diluent composition. Standard- and advanced polymer kits are priced at 449.95€ and 549.95€ for 0.5 aliqouts, respectively, while 1.0 g aliqouts are priced at 549.95€ and 649.95€, respectively.
Please note that all samples include three 3.0 mm 316L stainless steel beads employed in the final mixing process. Do not attempt to remove the beads from the vial.
▶ To enable baseline correction pure diluent controls accompany all samples
Certificate of Preparation
All samples are accompanied by a sample-specific Certificate of Preparation (COP), with full traceability of applied polymer content from stock mixtures to the specific sample. COPs are accessible via a weblink or QR code printed on each sample label.
Download Certificate of Preparation (COP) example:
- Py-GC-MS calibration standard: Advancet kit: 14 polymers-CaCO₃ blend
- Py-GC-MS calibration standard: Standard kit: 7 polymers-CaCO₃ blend
- Py-GC-MS calibration standard: Single-polymer: PVC-CaCO₃ blend (0.1%)
Tip #1 (important): Mixing pyrolysis products from multiple polymers can lead to overlapping signals and more challenging interpretation. Both the basic (7 polymers) and advanced (14 polymers) kits represent complex sample matrices. We therefore recommend beginning with a few single-polymer samples to familiarize yourself with the characteristic pyrolysis products. Once these are well established, you can progress to the basic kit. Jumping directly into the advanced polymer kit, which is also intended for testing methodological limitations, is generally not recommended, as it may complicate data interpretation in a way that obscures rather than supports method familiarisation.
Tip #2: For best performance, we recommend placing a small plug of quartz wool (not included) above the sample in the pyrolysis cup to prevent particle fly-off.
Wish to combine different polymer types in a single sample? Contact us for a price quote.
Py-GC-MS calibration standard
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): 30,000 g/mol
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE): 80,000 g/mol
- Polypropylene (PP): 50,000 g/mol
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): 80,000 - 120,000 g/mol
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): 40,000-60,000 g/mol
- Polystyrene [atactic] (PS): 250,000-350,000 g/mol
- Polycarbonate (PC): 30,000 - 60,000 g/mol
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): 100,000 - 200,000 g/mol
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): 5,000 g/mol
- Polyamide 6 (PA6): 120,000 g/mol
- Polyamide 6,6 (PA6.6): 120,000 g/mol
- Polyurethane (PU) [thermoset]: crosslinked network polymer; characterized by molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc), typically 150 - 4,000 g/mol, rather than an overall Mw
- Polyurethane [thermoplastic] (TPU): 80,000 g/mol
- Styrene butadine rubber (SBR): 200,000 - 300,000 g/mol
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): 1,000,000 - 5,000,000 g/mol
- Polyacrylonitrile (PAN): 30,000 g/mol
Py-GC-MS calibrations standards (synthetic polymer fragments in either SiO₂ or CaCO₃ diluent) in dry, neat (powder) format do not expire if stored under dry and temperature-stable conditions, and away from direct sunlight.
