Added
value
to your
innovation

Added
value
to your
innovation

Services

PTG/e can be an extension of your in-house R&D. Whether it is contract research or simply the analysis of a material, you can count on us for professional support. We take a pragmatic approach, which translates into short communication lines internally and regular contact between our researchers and the customer. In this way we can monitor project progress and steer the process as needed.

Our services include organising postdoc-level open courses. And thanks to our large network of lecturers, we are also able to offer (in-house) courses tailored to your specific needs.

PTG Eindhoven is your research partner in material innovation and material research.
Play Video

Research & innovation

Need an experienced partner to complement your in-house R&D from time to time? For example when you are short of capacity or do not have the necessary material expertise in house?
PTG/e is fully equipped to take on a variety of tasks.

Also for shorter term projects, PTG/e is your partner. Comparison of raw materials, material identification or a quick literature scan – these are just a few of the services that PTG/e can perform for you.

Courses

With access to a wide network of (own) experts in many areas of chemistry, PTG/e is excellently placed to help you expand your knowledge of polymers. We are organizing customized company specific courses, as well as open PTN courses.

Publications

TGA-IR-GC-MS: A powerful evolved gas analysis technique

The TGA-IR-GC-MS analysis is an analytical method that integrates three powerful techniques: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). When combined, they form an analytical synergy that provides comprehensive information on a material’s chemical properties. TGA-IR-GC-MS analysis is a powerful evolved gas analysis technique which we are using at PTG/e for many different applications.

Some examples of projects we have carried out for our customers are:

  • Polyurethane characterization: Identifying the building blocks of polyurethanes, which can be valuable for material development.
  • Ink formulation analysis: Determining the composition of unknown cured ink formulations.
  • Polymer analysis: Identifying plasticizers and additives in polymers, which is essential for understanding polymer properties.
  • Thermal degradation studies: Investigating the thermal degradation of various polymers, which gives information about their use in various applications.

 

How does it work?

The TGA-IR-GC-MS analysis is an analytical method that integrates three powerful techniques: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Each of these techniques offer unique insights into a material’s composition, molecular structure, and thermal behavior. However, when combined, they form an analytical synergy that provides comprehensive information on a material’s chemical properties.

At this photo you see the TGA-IR-GC-MS setup at PTG Eindhoven. A powerful gas analysis technique for many different applications.

TGA-IR-GC-MS setup with the TGA (right), the infrared gas cell (middle) and the GC-MS (left), coupled by the transfer line.

Within PTG/e’s infrastructure, TGA, IR, and GC-MS equipment can be combined with a heated transfer line. The TGA technique quantifies a sample’s weight change as a function of temperature or time. It subjects the sample to a precisely controlled temperature program while continuously monitoring its weight. This enables the determination of critical information related to a material’s thermal stability and decomposition behavior.

In this graph you see the thermogram of a polymer material, showing the weight percentage as a function of temperature. TGA-IR-GC-MS is a great analysis to combain 3 powerfull techniques. We, at PTG Eindhoven, are very experienced in TGA-IR-GC-MS.

Thermogram of a polymer material, showing the weight percentage as a function of temperature. 

The gas that evolves from the sample by evaporation or thermal decomposition during the TGA measurement, is transferred via the heated transfer line through the IR gas-cell to be measured with IR spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy uses the interaction between infrared light with the molecular bonds within the evolved gas, which is unique for each type of material. The spectrum that results from this technique reveals valuable details about the functional groups within the evolving gases, aiding in the identification of chemical bonds, molecular structure, and functional groups of the original sample.

In the next graph, you see the overall absorbance during the online IR measurement (left), with the IR spectrum at the peak of the thermal decomposition (right). Graph TGA-IR-GC-MS by PTG Eindhoven.

The overall absorbance during the online IR measurement (left), with the infrared spectrum at the peak of the thermal decomposition (right).

The gases that evolve from the sample at a specific temperature during the TGA measurement, can be collected to inject into the GC-MS. In GC the gasses (which are likely to be mixtures of various components) pass through a separation column, separating the individual components based on their volatility and column affinity. Then, MS analyzes these separated components, providing information regarding their molecular mass and fragmentation patterns. This helps identify the components released during thermal degradation of the material, providing further insight into the original composition of the material.

Graph TGA-IR-GC-MS analysis, a powerful technique which combines 3 different analysis.

Gas chromatogram of the injected gas. The peaks indicate the response of the MS detector, showing the mass spectrum of the eluted component.

The flexibility of the whole evolved gas system offers several combinations of techniques including: TGA-IR, TGA-MS, TGA-GC-MS and TGA-IR-GC-MS analyses. This makes it possible to select the best combination of techniques to answer the material questions.

In conclusion, the combination of the TGA, IR, and GC-MS techniques presents a potent analytical tool capable of resolving complex and unknown material challenges.

For further information on how this analysis can benefit your specific material analysis needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

TGA-IR-GC-MS analysis technique is a combined analysis of 3 different techniques.

PTG Eindhoven SusInkCoat partner

𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗧𝗦 & 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
PTG Eindhoven partner of NWO consortium SusInkCoat.
We are proud to announce that we are a partner in the consortium SusInkCoat. The consortium has received a grant of 35 million euros from the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) for the project “Sustainable Inks and Coatings.

” Comprising companies such as AkzoNobel, Evonik, and Canon, along with academic institutions like Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG), TU Eindhoven (TU/e) and the University of Twente (UT), the consortium aims to collaborate on developing ‘switchable and adaptive functional polymers and additives’ with a lower environmental impact.

Infographic from SusInkCoat. PTG is partner is this consortium.

The objective is to pioneer new materials, processes, and applications to improve the sustainability, functionality, and recyclability of coatings, thin films, and inks. The project places a strong emphasis on making coatings and inks more sustainable, with a focus on reducing environmental impact and promoting circularity.
For more information about SusInkCoat click here. 

PTG Eindhoven partner of consortium SusInkCoat. Making coatings and inkts more sustainable.

NEW UV-vis Spectroscopy

We are excited to announce a new addition to our infrastructure, UV-vis spectroscopy. UV-vis spectroscopy is a powerful tool for determining how molecules and materials interact with light. For a range of wavelengths, a beam of monochrome light is passed through the sample.

Suitable samples absorb part of the light within a specific wavelength range, which provides information on the concentration of certain molecules in a sample when compared to a reference of known concentration. Additionally, UV-vis spectroscopy can be used to follow the kinetics of (chemical) reactions occurring in a sample over time.

Curious about what UV-vis can do for you? Feel free to reach out and discover the possibilities