Introduction to pyrolysis-capillary gas chromatography.

By breaking large molecules into characteristic smaller fragments, analytical pyrolysis extends the use of gas chromatography to the analysis of polymeric materials, including natural polymers such as cellulose as well as synthetics. An understanding of the chemistry involved permits interpretation of the information present in these molecular fragments, with application to polymer and copolymer microstructure in addition to routine identification and quality control. Whether microfurnace, Curie-point or resistively heated filament, the pyrolysis device must be interfaced efficiently to the gas chromatography to make use of the resolving power afforded by capillary columns.