Microwave-assisted extraction for qualitative and quantitative determination of brominated flame retardants in styrenic plastic fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
A fast method for the determination of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in styrenic polymers using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) was developed. Different extraction parameters (extraction temperature and time, type of solvent, particle size) were first optimised for standard high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) samples containing known amounts of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE). Complete extraction of TBBPA was achieved using a combination of polar/non-polar solvent system (isopropanol/n-hexane) and high extraction temperatures (130 degrees C). Lower extraction yields were, however, obtained for Deca-BDE, due to its high molecular weight and its non-polar nature. The developed method was successfully applied to the screening of BFRs in standard plastic samples from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); TBBPA could be fully recovered, and Deca-BDE could be identified, together with minor order polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners.
Vilaplana
Francisco
F
Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ribes-Greus
Amparo
A
Karlsson
Sigbritt
S
D001966:Bromine; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004581:Electronics; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008872:Microwaves; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013343:Styrenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D005411:Flame Retardants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011108:Polymers; D013343:Styrenes; D001966:Bromine