Centre of Excellence in Analytical Pyrolysis
(CoE-AnPy)

About the CoE in Analytical Pyrolysis

The Centre of Excellence in Analytical Pyrolysis (CoE-AnPy) is a central facility of Somaiya vidyavihar University dedicated to exploring and exploiting the knowledge of thermal degradation of polymers, natural synthetic as well as and molecular level characterization of structure and composition of polymers.

The CoE houses a Frontier Lab, Japan Analytical Pyrolysis unit coupled with a state of the art Shimadzu GC-MS and is envisaged as a collaborative initiative of three partners, Frontier Labs, Japan, Shimadzu, Japan and Somaiya Vidyavihar Univeristy, Mumbia, India.

The CoE will undertake research on polymer structure and composition, degradation mechanisms, nature of additives and impurities in polymers as well as probing compositional and structural changes in end-of- life and after-life polymers.

The mission of the CoE is to foster innovation in sustainable polymer research in partnership with academic and industrial research laboratories.

Py-GCMS has been widely employed across various industries for analysis of polymers and additives. The analytical tool is used for QA / QC by industries dealing with plastcs, rubbers / tyres, paints & coatings, speciality chemicals (ink, dyes, textile chemicals), automotive industries, forensic analysis, 3D printing, and environmental analysis (micro-plastics).

A joint Initiative of SVU and Frontier Labs, Japan

M/s Frontier Labs, Japan is the leading manufacturer of Analytical Pyrolysis hardware and command a significant global market share. M/s Frontier Labs and Somaiya Vidyavihar university, entered into an MoU on 18th June 2024 (attached) whereby M/s Frontier Lab, Japan agreed to donate Analytical Pyrolysis hardware complete with all accessories, free of cost to SVU and help set up the facility as well as train the staff of SVU in the operation of the facility. Furthermore in the course two seminars conducted by M/s Frontier Labs in SVU in March and December 2024, the faculty of SVU were exposed to the distinctive features of the hardware, the analytical capabilities and case studies of analysis with specific reference to synthetic polymers.

Know more about Frontier Labs

Vision, Mission & Research Areas

Vision

Vision

Explore and expand analytical pyrolysis as a tool for advancingsustainability goals of synthetic and natural polymers

Mission

Mission

  • Create a state-of-art facility in Analytical Pyrolysis for education and research catering to students of science and engineering.
  • Integrate the tool and application of Analytical Pyrolysis in teaching thermal properties of polymers at post-graduate level.
  • Provide hands-on experience to students for problem solving using Analytical Pyrolysis.
  • Promote interdisciplinary research employing Analytical Pyrolysis and other relevant / necessary analytical tools in the disciplines of synthetic polymers / natural polymers / material science / environmental sciences.
  • Promote interdisciplinary research employing Analytical Pyrolysis across disciplines.
  • Foster close collaboration with industry in advancing the application of Analytical Pyrolysis and to address industry problems.
  • Promote industry-academia network through lectures, seminars, workshops and specially designed training programmes in Analytical Pyrolysis.
Research

Research Areas

  • Identification of polymeric materials [Forensic analysis for foreign substance or unknown sample, reverse engineering of materials, identification of composition of monomers in polymers, copolymers, fibers and rubbers; Fingerprinting biomass compositions].
  • Structural characterization of polymers and copolymers [Composition of copolymer, sequences, polymer blends, stereoregularity, terminal functional group].
  • Kinetics and mechanisms of polymer degradation [Thermal, oxidative and UV induced degradation].
  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis of additives and trace impurities in polymers, virgin, end-of-life and after-life.
  • Environmental & Microplastics Studies [Identification of microplastics in soil, water, and air samples].

Instruments

GCMS-QP2050 with GC2030
Cryogenic Mill IQ MILL-2070
Multi-Shot Pyrolyzer EGA/PY-3030D

Technical Detail

  • Dimension: 80 cm x 54 cm x 44 cm (with GC-2030)
  • S/N: 1 pg, 1µL OFN injected: S/N ≥ 5,000 (He Carrier)
  • IDL Sensitivity - 100 fg, 1µL OFN injected: IDL ≤ 15 fg (He Carrier) and 100 fg, 1µL OFN injected: IDL ≤ 30 fg (H₂ Carrier)
  • Scan Speed: 30,000 u/sec
  • Ion Source: DuraEase (EI only)
  • Mass Range: m/z 1.5 to 1,090

Purpose

  • To identify unknown organic compounds in complex matrices.
  • To detect and quantify volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs/SVOCs), pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air, soil, and water.
  • Routine analysis in pharmaceuticals, food safety, cosmetics, and industrial chemicals.

Application

  • Environmental - VOCs in ambient air, groundwater pollutants, dioxins, PCBs
  • Materials/Polymer - Additive analysis, thermal degradation studies, impurity characterization
  • Pharmaceutical - Residual solvents, drug impurity profiling, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)

Technical Detail

  • Operating temperatures Room temperature or below using a refrigerant (liquid nitrogen, etc.)
  • Setting parameters Rotation speed (rpm): 50 up to 3000 (stepless), Rotation time (sec): 10 up to 60 (10 second step), Pause time between cycles (sec): 0 up to 600 (10 second step), Rotation cycle: 1 up to 20 (1 cycle step)
  • Safety function Hazardous operation prevention by magnetic microswitch
  • Main unit dimensions and weight 270(W)ｘ340(D)ｘ300(H) mm, Approx. 12kg
  • Power (50/60 Hz) 100/120 VAC or 200/240 VAC (450 VA)

Purpose

  • Efficient Pulverization: Enables fine grinding of materials that are otherwise difficult to pulverize at room temperature (e.g., polymers, rubbers).
  • Prevents Heat Degradation: Maintains low temperature to avoid thermal decomposition or volatilization of sensitive components.
  • Homogeneous Sample Preparation: Ensures uniform particle size for accurate and reproducible analytical results, especially in techniques like Py-GC/MS, FTIR, and TGA.
  • Enhances Analytical Accuracy: Reduces risk of chemical or structural changes during grinding, preserving the integrity of the sample.

Application

  • The IQ MILL-2070 is widely used in the fields of material science,environmental analysis, forensics, and quality control.
  • Key applications include: Polymers & Plastics, Food and Pharmaceuticals, Forensic Science, Environmental Studies [microplastics in soil, water, or sediment],Biomass & Natural Products.

Technical Detail

  • Furnace temperature control range/temperature stability: room temperature +10 to 1050 ºC (1 ºC increment) / within ± 0.1 ºC
  • Heating furnace heating rate: Max. 600 ºC / min (every 1 ºC / min)
  • Interface temperature control range/temperature stability: 40 to 450 ºC (1 ºC increment) / within ±0.1 ºC
  • Performance guarantee (polystyrene pyrogram with MS detector): Reproducibility of the trimer and internal standard ratio is 2 % or less (RSD)
  • Performance guarantee (polystyrene thermogram with MS detector): Peak top temperature reproducibility is 0.3 % or less (RSD)
  • Requirements: gas chromatograph (with split/splitless inlet), etc.
  • Size (heating furnace): 76 (W) x 143 (D) x 215 (H) mm, 1.6 kg
  • Required power: 100-115 VAC (400 W max)

Purpose

  • To Enables thermal desorption, evolved gas analysis (EGA), single-shot pyrolysis, and multi-step thermal decomposition.
  • To Facilitates the identification of complex polymers, copolymers, additives, contaminants, and degradation products.
  • To allows direct analysis without chemical treatment, preserving the chemical integrity of thermally unstable or insoluble materials.
  • To analyses both volatile components and polymer backbones in one sample run.
  • To Covers everything from gentle thermal desorption to high-temperature pyrolysis.

Application

  • Identification of polymer composition (homopolymers, copolymers)
  • Characterization of polymer additives (plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants)
  • Study of polymer degradation and thermal stability
  • Determination of binder composition and additive profiling
  • Detailed analysis of cross-linked rubber compositions
  • Identification of curing agents and reinforcing fillers
  • Analysis of microplastics in soil and water
  • Thermal profiling of biomass, waste, and composite materials
  • Detection of contaminants, process residues, and material defects

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

A Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is proposed to be constituted to advice and guide the research, teaching and outreach activities of CoE on Analytical Pyrolysis. The following members are proposed as the external members of the SAC.

  • Professor S. Sivaram,

    Professor of Eminence SVU & Honorary Professor Emeritus and INSA Emeritus Scientist, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune and Kolkata, Chair,

    External Expert

  • Professor R. Vinu,

    Department of Chemical Engineering,

    Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

    External Expert

  • Professor G.K. Darbha,

    Department of Earth Sciences,

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata

    External Expert

  • Dr. G Ramakrishnan,

    Vice-President (Retd), Agilent Inc. & President,

    Chromatographic Society of India

    External Expert

  • Dr. Karthikeyan Satrugnan,

    Regional Technical Marketing Manager Frontier Laboratories Ltd. Singapore

    External Expert

  • Dr. S.P. Ramanathan,

    Sr. Manager, Pidilite Industries Limited, Mumbai

    External Expert

  • Ms. Anitta Antony,

    Archroma International India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai

    External Expert

  • Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai,

    The Vice Chancellor, SVU

    Internal Expert

  • Director,

    SciSER, SVU

    Internal Expert

  • Dr. Achala Danait,

    Director, SIRAC, SVU

    Internal Expert

  • Dr. Neetin Desai,

    Dean, Faculty of science

    Internal Expert

  • Head

    Department of Polymer Science,

    Internal Expert

  • Head

    Department of Environmental Sciences,

    Internal Expert

  • Dr. Vaijayanti Amdoskar,

    Assistant Professor, Dept. of Polymer Science, SVU & Centre Coordinator (Convenor)

    Internal Expert

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