An Alternative to Direct Probe: Pyroprobe Coupled to High Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Direct probe analysis is a common option for the rapid characterization of non-GC amenable liquids or solids having low vapor pressures. The objective of this study was to compare direct probe to Direct Pyroprobe analyses. The benefit of using a Pyroprobe to perform this analysis was the added versatility compared to direct probes. Liquids or solids could be introduced via a quartz tube, or placed directly onto a ribbon filament, and thermally desorbed or pyrolysed. Also, because the Pyroprobe is interfaced directly with the GC inlet, it is possible to perform distillation cut-type experiments or chromatographic separations if required.