Classical solvent extractions of additives from polymers

3 Classical Solvent Extractions of Additives from Polymers 

The first step in destructive polymer/additive deformulation is usually transfer of the additives into the 

Conventional methods of polymer extraction use large quantities of solvents as in shake-flask extraction or a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. For all classical extraction methods, solvent selectivity, in general, is low, i.e. solvents with high capacity tend to have low selectivity. In reflux extractions, which are still quite popular in polymer applications, the polymer is refluxed with a hot solvent, which disperses it to provide a solvent phase containing additives. In these conditions solvents are at their atmospheric boiling point. These methods are lengthy and labour intensive. Fractional extraction is based on solvents with increasing solvent power (cf. also [81]). 

The classical methods of solvent extraction of polymers can be conveniently divided into those for which heat is required (Soxhlet/Soxtec ), and those methods for which no heat is added, but which utilise some form of agitation, i.e. shaking or sonication (Table 3.3). Other LSE procedures consist in soaking the polymer in boiling solvents [84,85] and cold LSE [80,86]. These methods are also time-consuming, use large amounts of solvents which are scheduled to be restricted in the future, and exhibit other limitations when analytes are present in small quantities, where they may actually be lost in concentration steps following extraction. Many norms are still based on such standard procedures [87,88], 

More recently, some novel pressurised procedures for extraction of additives from polymers have been developed (Table 3.3). The principal objectives of all these techniques, such as SEE [89], MAE [90] and pressurised fluid extraction (PEE), is to replace the conventional extraction methods by shortening the extraction time, reduction in solvent use and automation. 

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