Sulfur-Containing Compound Quantification With Stable Rubber Standards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dibenzothiophene, commonly used as a standard material for quantifying sulfur-containing compounds, volatilizes over time in automatic samplers, leading to inconsistent peak areas and unreliable long-term measurements.

Innovation Solution

Using an alkylthiophene-containing rubber composition as a standard material for pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis, which is stable against heat and reduces variations in peak areas, enabling long-term stable measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dibenzothiophene is used as a standard material, then quantitative analysis of sulfur-containing compounds can be performed, but the peak area decreases over time due to volatilization in automatic samplers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeak area stabilityVSAvoidlong-term measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the standard material from pure liquid (dibenzothiophene) to solid form (alkylthiophene-containing rubber composition), which prevents volatilization and maintains peak area stability over time in automatic samplers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material (alkylthiophene incorporated into rubber composition) instead of a single pure substance, where the rubber matrix prevents volatilization of alkylthiophene while maintaining its characteristic pyrolysis signals for quantification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If alkylthiophene dissolved in organic solvent is used as standard material, then volatilization issue is avoided, but large variation in peak areas occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term measurement reliabilityVSAvoidpeak area consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter by incorporating alkylthiophene at specific content levels (0.1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts rubber) into the rubber composition, which provides stable peak areas without the large variations observed in dissolved solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform distribution of alkylthiophene within the rubber matrix, where the rubber composition provides a stable local environment that maintains consistent pyrolysis behavior and peak area across multiple measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method allows for accurate comparison of sulfur-containing compound amounts over different measurement dates by minimizing variations in peak areas, ensuring reliable and consistent quantification.

Implementation Method 1

pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas chromatography: Chromatography

Implementation Method 3

pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4589292A1Method for quantifying sulfur- containing compound
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4589292A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4589292A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4589292A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a method for quantifying sulfur-containing compounds enabling long-term stable measurement. The method for quantifying sulfur-containing compounds includes use of an alkylthiophene-containing rubber composition as a standard material.