Light stabilisers, analysis

Obviously, use of such databases often fails in case of interaction between additives. As an example we mention additive/antistat interaction in PP, as observed by Dieckmann et al. [166], In this case analysis and performance data demonstrate chemical interaction between glycerol esters and acid neutralisers. This phenomenon is pronounced when the additive is a strong base, like synthetic hydrotalcite, or a metal carboxylate. Similar problems may arise after ageing of a polymer. A common request in a technical support analytical laboratory is to analyse the additives in a sample that has prematurely failed in an exposure test, when at best an unexposed control sample is available. Under some circumstances, heat or light exposure may have transformed the additive into other products. Reaction product identification then usually requires a general library of their spectroscopic or mass spectrometric profiles. For example, Bell et al. [167] have focused attention on the degradation of light stabilisers and antioxidants... 

Oligomeric hindered amine light stabilisers, such as Tinuvin 622 and Chimassorb 944, resist satisfactory analysis by conventional HPLC and have required direct UV spectroscopic analysis of a polyolefin extract [596], PyGC of an extract [618,648], or SEC of an extract [649]. Freitag et al. [616] determined Tinuvin 622 in LDPE, HDPE and PP by saponification of the polymer dissolution in hot toluene via addition of an... 

David et al. [184] have shown that cool on-column injection and the use of deactivated thermally stable columns in CGC-FID and CGC-F1D-MS for quantitative determination of additives (antistatics, antifogging agents, UV and light stabilisers, antioxidants, etc.) in mixtures prevents thermal degradation of high-MW compounds. Perkins et al. [101] have reported development of an analysis method for 100 ppm polymer additives in a 500 p,L SEC fraction in DCM by means of at-column GC (total elution time 27 min repeatability 3-7 %). Requirements for the method were (i) on-line (ii) use of whole fraction (LVI) and (iii) determination of high-MW compounds (1200 Da) at low concentrations. Difficult matrix introduction (DMI) and selective extraction can be used for GC analysis of silicone oil contamination in paints and other complex analytical problems. 

Oligomeric additives with broad MWD tend to be a problem in conventional HPLC conditions. In cases where no interest exists in the oligomer distribution it is common practice to solve the problem by creating a uniform structural unit useful for analysis. For example, isocratic (or gradient) LC-UV was used for the determination of the polymeric light stabiliser Tinuvin 622 in polyolefins using dissolution (toluene)/derivatisation (TBAH)-precipitation (alcohol) the diol formed was quantitatively determined by NPLC [653]. 

An excellent and comprehensive review has covered HPLC analysis of AOs and light stabilisers up to 1990 [576]. Normal vs. reversed-phase and isocratic vs. gradient-elution HPLC separation of synthetic mixtures of additives and of solvent extracts from polymers were discussed. 

NMR spectroscopy is most effective in qualitative analysis when the samples examinated are substantially pure compounds and has been used to confirm the theoretically predicted low-energy conformations of the Af-acylated hindered amine light stabiliser Tinuvin 440 [210]. Trace amounts of PDMS (quantification limit 0.1 ppm) in plastic additives, dyes and pigments were determined by 111 NMR after Soxhlet extraction [211]. ll NMR was also used for the detection of octadecanol, an impurity in Irganox PS 802 (3,3 -dioctadecyl thiodipropionate). NMR has identified the nature of a supposedly UV stabiliser of empirical formula C17H18N3CIO [44] (Scheme 5.2). 

The depth distribution of light stabilisers in coatings has been studied in 1 - 3 mg microtomed slices, by means of SFE-GC with ToF-SIMS and nitrogen thermionic detection, as well as by direct ToF-SIMS analysis results were in good agreement [59]. As the SFE effluent... 

Munteanu, Dan, Isfan, A., Isfan, C. and Tincul, I. (1987) Analysis of Antioxidants and Light Stabilisers in Poljrmers by Modern Liquid Chromatography, Chromatographia, 23(1), 7-14, pp. 211-315. 

Thermal methods of analysis are widely used to investigate the process of additive loss from polymers. According to several authors [223-225] the volatility of low-MW additives (plasticisers, antioxidants, light stabilisers, accelerators, etc.) proceeds according to first-order kinetics. Various interferences have been noticed in these analyses [226]. 

GC is extensively used to determine phenolic and amine antioxidants, UV light absorbers, stabilisers and organic peroxide residues, in particular in polyolefins, polystyrene and rubbers (cf. Table 61 of Crompton [158]). Ostromow [159] has described the quantitative determination of stabilisers and AOs in acetone or methanol extracts of rubbers and elastomers by means of GC. The method is restricted to analytes which volatilise between 160 °C and 300 °C without decomposition. A selection of 47 reports on GC analysis of AOs in elastomers (period 1959-1982) has been published... 

Electrical properties discussed include the measurement of volume and surface resistivity, dielectric strength and surface arc and tracking resistance. Optical properties and light stability includes a discussion of stress optical analysis and the effects of light and other influences on stabilised and unstabilised polymers. 

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