Identifying the constituents of a plastic
Structural analysis of polymers using GC/MS coupling

Thermoplastics have high molar masses.

Analysis of the constituents of such a plastic begins with identification of its additives, such as stabilizers (UV stabilizers, antioxidants, etc.) or property modifiers (plasticizers, etc.). These are extracted in the liquid phase, using solvents that cause macromolecules to swell considerably. Extraction products are analyzed by injection into the GC/MS. In most cases, an apolar column will be chosen for GC, although heating temperatures of up to 450°C can be used for elution with the types of column currently being developed. The injector...