Analytical pyrolysis for the characterization of microplastics and their degradation products in the environment

Microplastics (MPs), commonly defined as plastic particles in the 1 μm-5 mm dimension range, are being recognized as ubiquitous pollutants in different environmental compartment, and the methods for the determination of their type and concentration are object of increasing researches. The aim of this thesis project was the development, evaluation, and application of methods for the analysis of microplastics and their degradation products based on analytical pyrolysis coupled with mass spectrometry. Reference polymers were analyzed by means of pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and by evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) before and after artificial photoageing. To gain information about degradation processes and photo-oxidative phenomena involving plastic debris in the environment, the same samples were subjected to solvent extraction. The extractable fractions and the insoluble residues, were analyzed by Py-GC-MS. The extractable fractions were also analyzed by means of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) to investigate the extent of the polymers degradation. In a second part of the project, a quantitative method based on microwave-assisted extraction and double-shot Py-GC-MS was validated and subsequently applied to the analysis of environmental sand samples for the quantification of phthalate plasticizers and of polystyrene