Vulcanisation direct mass spectrometry

In a study on the identification of organic additives in rubber vulcanisates using mass spectrometry, Lattimer et al. [22] used direct thermal desorption with three different ionisation methods El, Cl and FI. Also, rubber extracts were examinated directly by four ionisation methods (El, Cl, FD and FAB). The authors did not report a clear advantage for direct analysis as compared to analysis after extraction. Direct analysis was a little faster, but the extraction methods were considered to be more versatile. 

Recently, Lattimer et al. [22,95] advocated the use of mass spectrometry for direct analysis of nonvolatile compounding agents in polymer matrices as an alternative to extraction procedures. FAB-MS was thus applied as a means for surface desorption/ionisation of vulcanisates. FAB is often not as effective as other ionisation methods (El, Cl, FI, FD), and FAB-MS is not considered particularly useful for extracted rubber additives analysis compared to other methods that are available [36], The effectiveness of the FAB technique has been demonstrated for the analysis of a live-component additive mixture [96]. 

In an acetone extract from a neoprene/SBR hose compound, Lattimer et al. [92] distinguished dioctylph-thalate (m/z 390), di(r-octyl)diphenylamine (m/z 393), 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-f-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-isocyanurate m/z 783), hydrocarbon oil and a paraffin wax (numerous molecular ions in the m/z range of 200-500) by means of FD-MS. Since cross-linked rubbers are insoluble, more complex extraction procedures must be carried out (Chapter 2). The method of Dinsmore and Smith [257], or a modification thereof, is normally used. Mass spectrometry (and other analytical techniques) is then used to characterise the various rubber fractions. The mass-spectral identification of numerous antioxidants (hindered phenols and aromatic amines, e.g. phenyl-/ -naphthyl-amine, 6-dodecyl-2,2,4-trimethyl-l,2-dihydroquinoline, butylated bisphenol-A, HPPD, poly-TMDQ, di-(t-octyl)diphenylamine) in rubber extracts by means of direct probe EI-MS with programmed heating, has been reported [252]. The main problem reported consisted of the numerous ions arising from hydrocarbon oil in the recipe. In older work, mass spectrometry has been used to qualitatively identify volatile AOs in sheet samples of SBR and rubber-type vulcanisates after extraction of the polymer with acetone [51,246]. 

Lattimer and co-workers [25] have applied mass spectrometry (MS) to the determination of antioxidants and antiozonants in rubber vulcanisates. Direct thermal desorption was used with three different ionisation methods [electron impact (El), chemical ionisation (Cl), field ionisation (FI)]. The vulcanisates were also examined by direct fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) as a means for surface desorption/ionisation. Rubber extracts were examined directly by these four ionisation methods. Of the various vaporisation/ionisation methods, it appears that field ionisation is the most efficient for identifying organic additives in the rubber vulcanisates. Other ionisation methods may be required, however, for detection of specific types of additives. There was no clear advantage for direct analysis as compared to extract analysis. Antiozonants examined include aromatic amines and a hindered bisphenol. These compounds could be identified quite readily by either extraction or direct analysis and by use of any vaporisation/ionisation method. 

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