Simultaneous determination of polymer additives in polyethylene by GC/MS

Abstract

A simultaneous determination method was developed for 53 polymer additives in polyethylene, i.e., 21 antioxidants, 9 ultraviolet stabilizers, 20 lubricants and 3 plasticizers. All compounds could be identified and quantitated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using a 5 m long fused silica or stainless steel capillary column coated with dimethylpolysiloxane. The samples were prepared by means of a published procedure for determination by HPLC. Average recoveries of 51 additives spiked at 2 levels (200 and 1,000 μg/g) were between 70.0 and 127.0% except DSTDP and hexacosane. Quantitation limits ranged from 50 to 500 μg/g, depending on the compounds. Nine compounds, BHT. Irganox 1076, Irgafos 168, oleamide, erucamide, palmitic acid, stearic acid, hydrocarbons, DBP and DOP, were found in polyethylene products. The proposed method is satisfactory for the determination of plastic additives in polyethylene products.