Screening of additives in plastics with high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry and different ionization sources: direct probe injection (DIP)-APCI, LC-APCI, and LC-ion booster ESI

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2016-04, Vol.408 (11), p.2945-2953
• Main Authors: Ballesteros-Gómez, Ana, Jonkers, Tim, Covaci, Adrian, de Boer, Jacob
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; Additives; Analytical Chemistry; Antioxidants; Atmospheric pressure; Biochemistry; Casings; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical properties; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Composition; Degradation products; Electronic equipment; Flame retardants; Food Science; Identification and classification; Ionization; Laboratory Medicine; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Particle size; Plastics; Plastics - chemistry; Polymer antioxidants (Additives); Polymers; Research Paper; Scientific imaging; Screening; Solvent extraction; Solvent extraction processes; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization - methods; Time-of-flight mass spectrometry; Toxicity; Young Investigators in Analytical and Bioanalytical Science
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-9238-5

Plastics are complex mixtures consisting of a polymer and additives with different physico-chemical properties. We developed a broad screening method to elucidate the nature of compounds present in plastics used in electrical/electronic equipment commonly found at homes (e.g., electrical adaptors, computer casings, heaters). The analysis was done by (a) solvent extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to high accuracy/resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) with different ionization sources or (b) direct analysis of the solid by ambient mass spectrometry high accuracy/resolution TOFMS. The different ionization methods showed different selectivity and sensitivity for the different compound classes and were complementary. A variety of antioxidants, phthalates, UV filters, and flame retardants were found in most samples. Furthermore, some recently reported impurities or degradation products derived from flame retardants were identified, such as hydroxylated triphenyl phosphate and tetrabromobisphenol A monoglycidyl ether. Graphical abstract Wide screening of plastic additives by direct probe injection (DIP)-APCI, LC-APCI and LC-ion booster ESI