Thermal analysis-mass spectrometry coupling and its applications

The direct coupling systems operating under vacuum and the systems in which the thermobalance works under atmospheric pressure are described in detail. In addition, the characteristics of the most widely used mass spectrometers and computer facilities are also discussed. To illustrate the potential and limitations of this coupling, some typical cases of qualitative and quantitative applications are considered. These examples demonstrate that the coupling is used extensively for the identification of thermal degradation products, to determine their sequence of release and to resolve thermogravimetric curves. The technique is used only to a limited extent for quantitative analysis and kinetic studies.