Residual Monomer Testing
Determining the residual monomer content of polymers is very important for many applications. Some monomers are toxic and the presence of many varieties of monomers encourages premature or accelerated polymer degradation.
About residual monomer analysis
Our scientists frequently determine the residual monomer content of many polymer systems for clients working in a variety of industries. The determination of residual monomer content is often a part of a comprehensive additives analysis investigation. Because of the variety of sample introduction techniques we have in our laboratories, the residual monomer content of virtually any sample can be determined.
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Approaches
The most common approach we use for the determination of residual monomer content is Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The GC/MS method has excellent sensitivity and also has great speciation.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) is another method of analysis that is well suited for the determination of residual monomer content of polymers and formulations.
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Sample Considerations
A sample mass of about 10-g is typically enough.
We can extract the residual monomer or can evaluate a sample directly by using the Head Space Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy method.
Some residual monomers are not volatile or are too chemically active to obtain reliable GC/MS results. In those cases, we use chemical derivatization techniques to convert a troublesome monomer to a volatile species. An example of this approach is our conversion of organic acids to the corresponding methyl ester.
Contact us to talk through your specific sample considerations.
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Experience
Products we've tested:
- Bioabsorbable polymers
- Acrylics
- Polyacrylamide
- Phenol
- Products for the presence of Bis-phenol A (BPA)
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