Abstract
With the mandatory implementation of the RoHS 2.0 revised directive (EU) 2015/863 since July 22, 2019, four phthalates have been added to the list of restricted substances, supplementing the original six restricted substances (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers). To meet the urgent need for rapid and accurate screening of these phthalates in electrical and electronic equipment, LISUN Group has developed the EDX-4 ROHS 2.0 Test Equipment, a dedicated system based on pyrolysis desorption technology. This study systematically introduces the composition, technical parameters, experimental methods, performance verification, and typical application cases of the EDX-4 system. Results show that the equipment achieves a minimum detection limit of 25 ppm (3× signal-to-noise ratio), a linear correlation coefficient (R²) > 0.998, and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 5.24%, outperforming traditional methods such as PY+GC-MS (detection limit 50 ppm). It requires no chemical pretreatment, supports direct solid/liquid sampling, and completes a single sample test in 20 minutes, fully meeting the rapid screening needs of enterprises in industries such as electronics, toys, and medical devices.
1. Introduction
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive is a core regulatory framework for environmental protection and human health in the European Union, targeting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). On June 4, 2015, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) issued RoHS 2.0 (EU) 2015/863, which expanded the restricted substance list by adding four phthalates: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP), Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP) (Table 1). These phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in PVC, coatings, and adhesives in EEE but pose risks of endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.
For enterprises exporting to the EU, compliance with RoHS 2.0 requires efficient screening of these four phthalates. Traditional detection methods (e.g., ultrasonic extraction-GC-MS) suffer from drawbacks such as complex pretreatment, long test cycles, and limited applicability to soluble polymers (only 70% of samples). To address these challenges, LISUN Group launched the EDX-4 ROHS 2.0 Test Equipment, which integrates pyrolysis desorption and gas chromatography (GC) to enable rapid, high-throughput screening. This paper details the technical characteristics and performance of this equipment.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Key Restricted Phthalates in RoHS 2.0
The four target phthalates and their applications in EEE are summarized in Table 1.
Substance Name
CAS NO.
Main Applications in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP)
117-81-7
Plasticizer for PVC (insulators in cables/wires); electrolyte in ceramics/capacitors
Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP)
85-68-7
Co-plasticizer for PVC (cables, sockets, pipes); additives in paints/glues
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
84-74-2
Plasticizer for PVC flooring; present in synthetic leather, inks, and sealants
Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP)
84-69-5
Substitute for DBP; plasticizer for PVC, cellulose resins, and nitrile rubber
2.2 Composition of LISUN EDX-4 ROHS 2.0 Test Equipment
The EDX-4 system is a integrated solution consisting of 12 core components, covering sample pyrolysis, separation, detection, and data analysis (Table 2).
Product Name
Specification Model
Quantity
Remarks
A. Pyrolysis Desorption Instrument
– Ceramic heating module;
– User-defined temperature ramping;
– PC-side control software;
– Deactivation/inerting system
1 SET
EDG version
B. Gas Chromatograph (GC)
– FID (Flame Ionization Detector);
– Capillary sampling system;
– SSL (Split/Splitless Injection Port)
1 SET
FID detector for high sensitivity
C. Special Chromatographic Column
Imported 15-meter capillary column
1 SET
Simultaneous detection of 4 phthalates
Workstation
One-click test report generation
1 SET
Data processing and reporting
Electronic Balance
Switzerland Precisa 1/10000 balance
1 SET
Sample weighing
4 Kinds of Phthalate Standards
– 4×1mL 1000ppm mixed standards;
– Glass bottles + Teflon caps;
– Solvent bottle + sealing film
1 SET
Calibration standards
Consumables
– 100 quartz injection tubes;
– Quartz sleeves/wool;
– N-hexane;
– Nitrile gloves/weighing paper
1 SET
Routine operation
High-purity Hydrogen Generator
0-300mL/min, 0.3MPa
1 SET
FID fuel supply
High-purity Air Generator
0-2000mL/min, 0.45MPa
1 SET
FID oxidant supply
Nitrogen Cylinder
99.999% purity + pressure reducing valve
1 SET
Provided by user (carrier gas)
Standard Refrigerator
For standard sample storage
1 SET
Provided by user
Computer
Desktop commercial computer
1 SET
Equipment control
2.3 Technical Specifications of Core Components
2.3.1 Pyrolysis Desorption Instrument
The pyrolysis module is critical for rapid sample vaporization without pretreatment. Its key parameters are:
• Temperature range: Room temperature (RT) to 450°C (1°C increment);
• Heating rate: >500°C/min (Φ6 pyrolysis tube);
• Pyrolysis/purge time: 0.01–99.99 minutes (0.01-minute increment);
• Purge/split flow: 10–200 mL/min;
• Aging/cleaning temperature: RT to 450°C (optional).
2.3.2 Gas Chromatograph (GC)
The GC ensures efficient separation of the four phthalates, with specifications including:
• Temperature control range: Ambient +5°C to 400°C (column oven);
• Ultra-low temperature option: Down to -80°C (for low-boiling substances);
• Gas control: High-precision flowmeter (clear flow visualization);
• Fault diagnosis: Real-time detection for quick troubleshooting;
• Injection system: Split/splitless (flexible for solid/liquid samples).
2.3.3 Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
The FID provides high-sensitivity detection of organic compounds, with parameters:
• Detection limit: ≤5×10⁻¹²g/s (n-hexadecane);
• Baseline noise: ≤6×10⁻¹²A/H;
• Linearity range: ≥10⁵;
• Stabilization time: 0.998, and RSD = 5.24%, meeting RoHS 2.0 compliance requirements;
• Broad industry application: Suitable for electronics, toys, medical devices, and other fields.
For enterprises aiming to comply with RoHS 2.0, the EDX-4 system is a cost-effective and reliable tool. Detailed product information is available at: https://www.lisungroup.com/products/environmental-test-chamber/5626.html. https://www.lisungroup.com/news/technology-news/lisun-edx-4-rohs-2-0-test-equipment-a-rapid-screening-solution-for-phthalates-via-pyrolysis-desorption.html
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