Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analyses are performed on liquids, gases or solids. For liquids and gases, the sample is commonly directly injected into the GC. For solids, the analysis is carried out by solvent extraction, outgassing (desorption) or pyrolysis.
Desorption experiments are performed under helium flow at a controlled temperature between 40-300 ºC, with analytes being collected on a cryogenic trap during desorption. The sample chamber is a 1.25”x4” cylinder.
Pyrolysis is another sampling technique for the analysis of materials that cannot be directly injected into the GC-MS. By applying heat directly to the sample, the molecule can be broken down in a reproducible way. After that, GC-MS analyzes smaller molecules that reach the GC. By this method, probe temperatures of up to 1400ºC can be used.
In addition, many other sample preparation and sampling methods are available — for example, derivatization, static headspace analysis, purge and trap, SPME (solid phase microextraction) — that have applications based on the sample type and species of interest.