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Py-GC-MS calibration standards

Neat polymer powders and polymer-matrix blends

Tailored Py-GC-MS calibration standards designed specifically for quantitative pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Our single-polymer and  7  &  14  polymer kit standards offer precise concentration control from 1.0 µg/mg to 50 µg/mg, enabling reliable calibration curve development. Each standard features sieved microplastic fragments (<50 µm) ensuring consistent particle homogeneity across sample aliquots. All standards include matching blank controls for accurate baseline correction and comprehensive certificates of analysis with full traceability data. Available in 0.15 g, 0.5 g and 1.0 g formats, each sample provides multiple runs.

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Tailored Py-GC-MS calibration standards

Neat polymer powder

From 150 mg aliquots of dry, neat powder

Calibration standards supplied as high-purity polymer powders, available in 15 different polymer types.

 

Ideal for direct Py-GC-MS calibration or for preparing custom dispersions and solutions tailored to specific workflows. As neat powders, they can be readily adapted for method development, recovery tests, spike additions, and positive controls.

Polymer-matrix blend

From 1.0 µg/mg (0.1 %) to 50 µg/mg (5.0 %)

Flexible calibration standards consisting of high-purity polymer-matrix blends, covering 15 polymer types blended into a CaCO₃ or SiO₂ matrix.

 

Ideal for direct Py-GC-MS calibration or for preparing custom dispersions and solutions tailored to specific workflows. As neat powders, they can be readily adapted for method development, recovery tests, spike additions, and positive controls.

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Our Py-GC-MS calibration standards are composed of carefully selected polymers representative of environmental micro- and nanoplastic pollution. Each polymer batch is sieved through a 300-mesh screen (<50 µm) to ensure particle size uniformity and homogeneity across aliquots. The polymer-matrix blends are subjected to high-energy vortex mixing for 5 minutes. This step is followed by 4 hours of vertical rotation with a knocking effect to loosen any powder adhering to the container. Finally, the sample is horizontally rolled with a swivel effect for 10 hours to thoroughly homogenize the contents (see figure below). Eight 304 stainless steel beads ranging from Ø = 2.0 mm to 5.5 mm are included throughout all mixing steps to enhance homogenization. All final samples include three Ø = 3.0 mm 316L stainless steel beads employed in the final mixing process.

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Calibration curve example

Analysis performed by CDS analytical with 6000 series Pyroprobe

Marker

PE Pyrogram.png

Marker: C21 Diene

PP pyrogram.png

Marker: 2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptene

PVC Pyrogram.png

Marker: Naphthalene

PET Pyrogram.png

Marker: Benzophenone
(a reaction product with CaCO₃)

PS Pyrogram.png

Marker: Styrene Trimer

PC pyrogram.png

Marker: 4-Isopropenyl-phenol

Parameters

Sample analyzed: 14-polymer (advanced) kit (50 µg/mg), CaCO₃ blend.

Analysis performed by: CDS Analytical.

Instrument used: Pyroprobe 6150.

Pyrolysis Temperature: 600°C (40 seconds).

Oven: 40°C to 300°C at 12°C per min.

Pre-column: Rxi-17Sil MS 2 m, 0.25 mm id, film thickness, 0.25 µm.

Column: Rxi-5ms, 30 m, 0.25 mm id, film thickness 0.50 µm.

Scan: 29-400 amu.

Available polymer types

Polyethylene

The most widely produced plastic.
HDPE: ~15–20% of global plastic production; rigid, strong; bottles, pipes, crates.

LDPE: ~10%; flexible, transparent; bags, films, coatings.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Alkenes (C10, C12, C14 and C21).

Polypropylene

PP white.png

~20% of global production; common in packaging, automotive parts, textiles.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptene (key diagnostic).
🔥2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptane.

Polyvinyl chloride

PVC white.png

~10% of global production; important for pipes, construction work, irrigation systems.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Benzene (major product, from dehydrochlorination).

Polyethylene terephthalate

PET white.png

~7% of global production; beverage bottles, textiles.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Vinyl benzoate
🔥Benzoic acid
🔥Terephthalic acid dimethyl ester / dimethyl terephthalate
🔥Acetophenone (supportive).

Polystyrene

Polycarbonate

PC white.png

<2% of global production; optics, electronics, glazing.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Bisphenol A (core marker)
🔥p-Isopropenylphenol
🔥p-Isopropylphenol, Phenol (supportive).

PS white.png

~6% of global production; packaging, insulation, disposables.

Common pyrolysis markers
🔥Styrene dimers and trimers (main identifiers).

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

ABS white.png

~2% of global production; housings, automotive, toys.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Styrene unit: Styrene α-Methylstyrene Indene
🔥Acrylonitrile unit: Acrylonitrile Benzonitrile 2-Cyanostyrene
🔥Butadiene unit: 1,3-Butadiene 4-Vinylcyclohexene (butadiene dimer) Cyclopentadiene

Polymethyl methacrylate

PMMA White.png

<1% of global production; displays, glazing, optics.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Methyl methacrylate (MMA, monomer) → almost complete depolymerization.
🔥Methyl isobutyrate (minor).
 

Polyamide 6

PA6 white.png

Polyamide 6 (PA6): ~2% global production; clothing, automotive, fishing gear.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Caprolactam (dominant marker)
🔥Cyclopentanone
🔥5-Cyanovaleramide
🔥ε-Aminocapronitrile (supportive)

Polyamide 6,6

~2% of global production; automotive, machinery, textiles.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Cyclopentanone.

🔥Adiponitrile (from adipic acid unit).

🔥Caprolactam (sometimes from secondary reactions).

🔥 Hexamethylenediamine fragments (amines).

PA6 white.png

Polyurethane

Urethane white.png

~7% of global production; foams, coatings, adhesives.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Phenyl isocyanate derivatives. 
🔥Polyol-related fragments (alcohols, glycols)
🔥Aliphatic polyurethanes:
HDI → HDA (1,6-hexamethylenediamine)
IPDI → IPDA (isophoronediamine)
H12MDI → PACM (4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine))
PDI → PDA (1,5-pentanediamine)

[Thermoset]

Polyurethane

<1%; sportswear, cables, films.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Polyether fragments → typically tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4-butanediol, and other ether cleavage products
🔥 Phenyl isocyanate derivatives (from isocyanate hard segments).
🔥Aliphatic polyurethanes:​
HDI → HDA (1,6-hexamethylenediamine)
IPDI → IPDA (isophoronediamine)
H12MDI → PACM (4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine))
PDI → PDA (1,5-pentanediamine)

Urethane white.png

[Thermoplastic]

Styrene butadiene rubber

35–45% synthetic rubber production; tire tread material; commonly used as a proxy for road tire wear.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Styrene.

🔥Butadiene-derived fragments (e.g. butadiene, butene).

🔥Ethylbenzene (secondary reactions).

🔥 Toluene and other alkylbenzenes..

SBR white.png

Polyacrylonitrile

<1% of global polymer production; primarily used in carbon-fiber precursors, acrylic fibers, and technical textiles.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Acrylonitrile.
🔥Acetonitrile.
🔥Hydrogen cyanide (HCN). 
🔥Nitrile-containing fragments (C≡N).

PAN white.png

Polytetrafluoroethylene

<0.1% of global polymer production; high-performance fluoropolymer used in coatings, seals, cables, and chemical-resistant components. Commonly known as Teflon®; classified as a polymeric PFAS.

Common pyrolysis markers

🔥Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE).
🔥Hexafluoropropylene (HFP).
🔥Perfluoroalkenes and fluorocarbon fragments.
🔥CF₂-containing ions (e.g. CF₂⁺)

PTFE white.png

An important message from the Microplastic Solution Team

About our Py-GC-MS calibration standards: Py-GC-MS is a powerful and complex, but still developing analytical technique, particularly when applied to complex polymers and mixed material- or environmental samples. Calibration plays an important role in method development and performance evaluation, and we recognise that no single standard can address all analytical challenges.

Our calibration standards are therefore designed to support method familiarisation, comparison, and quality control, rather than to represent a universal or final solution.

 

When working with Py-GC-MS, we recommend starting with simple systems and gradually increasing sample complexity. Beginning with single-polymer materials allows characteristic pyrolysis products to be established before progressing to multi-polymer mixtures. The basic and advanced polymer kits represent increasingly complex samples; the advanced kit is also intended to explore methodological limitations and is therefore best used once the method is well understood.

 

As the field continues to evolve, we are continuously working to refine and improve our standards based on ongoing research, user feedback, and practical laboratory experience. We do not have all the answers; rather, we see this as a collaborative process and are strongly motivated to explore open questions together with our users. We are committed to supporting our clients, discussing analytical challenges, and learning alongside them as methodologies continue to develop.

We encourage users to contact us with questions, feedback, or specific analytical needs; these exchanges directly contribute to the continued improvement of our calibration standards.

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- Founder and CEO

 Microplastic Solution logo
Company slogan "We know microplastics"

microplasticsolution.com

+ 33 6 72 05 29 17

Addresses:
Administrative HQ: 9 rue des enfants d'Izieu, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
Laboratory: 6 impasse Dordac, 31650 Saint-Orens-de-Gameville, France.

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© 2026 SAS Microplastic Solution. All rights reserved

Est. 2024

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Have a question?

Ask Dr. Nadiia Yakovenko: 
Nadiia@microplasticsolution.com

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