Analysing the Nissan LEAF’s ‘new car smell’ for volatile organic compounds using advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry
Using advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, CChES’s experts tested car interior air samples for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), enabling Nissan to meet its stringent safety standards ready for the launch of the new LEAF.
Project at a glance
Client: Nissan Technical Centre Europe
Sector: Automotive – vehicle testing, technology development and product evaluation
Project: Testing the concentration levels of volatile organic compounds to ensure safety, part of the approval process for the new Nissan LEAF
Techniques: Advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS, GCxGC-MS)
Findings: VOCs identified and found to be within the threshold limits set in Nissan’s standards
Outcome: Validation of Nissan’s work to mitigate VOC emissions; contributing to smooth product launch of the LEAF
The challenge: understanding levels of volatile organic compounds inside a new vehicle
Many people love the ‘new car smell’, but perhaps don’t realise that it’s caused by the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from materials such as solvents and plastics used in the car’s manufacture. Some of these VOCs have the potential to be harmful to health, so Nissan tests the air within its new models to exacting standards to ensure they are within safe levels.
Alongside qualitative tests carried out by experts who literally smell the car and score it for pleasantness/unpleasantness, intensity and any physical effects such as headaches, Nissan relies on external chemical analysis testing to detect and quantify VOC levels.
As part of the approval process for the new LEAF, Nissan required robust and rapid testing to quantify VOC levels and ensure a smooth launch to market.
The solution: using our advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments to detect and quantify specific volatile organic compounds
Nissan sought the expertise of Professor Geraint (Taff) Morgan and colleagues Dr Julie Herniman and Dr Celia Lourenco, from the Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry Facility in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering to develop, optimise and validate bespoke analytical assays to ‘sniff’ specific chemical compounds in air taken from the interior of a brand new Nissan LEAF.
The air samples were collected by Nissan, under controlled conditions in a dedicated test chamber, to simulate real-world scenarios, including conditions that cause increased concentration of VOCs – for example, to mimic the effects of parking in hot sunshine for several hours. The greatest potential for exposure to harmful species is on first getting into a car and before it is driven with the air conditioning on or with the windows open.
“Our working relationship with Taff and the CChES team is excellent. We’re very pleased with the results and we look forward to moving forward with them for future investigations.”
Mark Ellis, Manager – Materials Design and Test, Nissan Technical Centre Europe
The outcome: robust and timely chemical analysis to support the launch of the new Nissan LEAF
The results show the LEAF is one of Nissan’s best performing vehicles to date for VOC emissions, validating the work of Dr Sonia García-Alcega, Substances and Materials Compliance Engineer at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, in this area.
Working with CChES, supported by nC2 Engineering Consultancy, has also removed the logistical challenges that Nissan has encountered with previous test houses, as Mark Ellis, Manager – Materials Design and Test at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, explains:
“We’re very happy with the results. It has always been a challenge to get this type of analysis done within a quick turnaround time, and Taff and his colleagues at CChES have enabled that.
“In the past we did a lot of this work with external labs based in Europe, but we had problems with sample contamination and delays, particularly because of issues with customs clearance. Having a service in the UK that can do this analysis is very beneficial.”
Contributing to the University’s knowledge exchange and enterprise strategy
Professor Nicci Cambell, Associate Dean (Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise) at the University of Southampton, adds: “CChES, an initiative from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton, connects our world-class research expertise with the needs of industry.
“We are delighted that such a large global manufacturer, such as Nissan, has strategically selected Professor Morgan and his team to provide the analytical capabilities that allow them to release new models with full confidence that they meet VOC emission standards.”
Specialist expertise
Professor Geraint (Taff) Morgan
Analytical chemistry, specialising in novel assays for the quantification of volatile organic compounds in complex samples
Dr Julie Herniman
Chromatography, mass spectrometry, supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry