Examination of thermal degradation of natural and synthetic lacquer films by pyrolysis-gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is reviewed. Due to the instantaneous heating decomposition, side reactions of internal or intermediate samples hardly occur, and the pyrolysis products can be retrieved without any change. Py-GC/MS has been used to analyze the composition of insoluble polymers and investigate degradation of resin materials. Lacquer film is a cross-linked polymer that is insoluble in any solvent. The aim of this review is to describe the application of Py-GC/MS to the analysis of lacquer, including natural lacquer saps, synthetic lacquer derivatives, and their films. After analyzing the chemical structures of the specific pyrolysis products by mass spectrometry, the lacquer tree species and growing region can be determined. These results have great significance for the protection and restoration of lacquer-coated cultural treasures.
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