title: An efficient and fast analytical procedure for the bromine determination in waste electrical and electronic equipment plastics.
abstract: In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy was used, in combination with micro-Raman spectroscopy, for a fast determination of bromine concentration and then of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) compounds in waste electrical and electronic equipments. Different samples from different recycling industries were characterized to evaluate the sorting performances of treatment companies. This investigation must be considered of prime research interest since the impact of BFRs on the environment and their potential risk on human health is an actual concern. Indeed, the new European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS 2011/65/EU) demands that plastics with BFRs concentration above 0.1%, being potential health hazards, are identified and eliminated from the recycling process. Our results show the capability and the potential of Raman spectroscopy, together with XRF analysis, as effective tools for the rapid detection of BFRs in plastic materials. In particular, the use of these two techniques in combination can be considered as a promising method suitable for quality control applications in the recycling industry.
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Ingegneria 'Enzo Ferrari' , Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia , via Vignolese 905/A, 41125 Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taurino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannio
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mafredini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pozzi
mesh_terms: D001966:Bromine / Q000032:analysis*; D059029:Electronic Waste; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010969:Plastics; D001966:Bromine
keywords: X-ray fluorescence; brominated flame retardants; micro-Raman spectroscopy; polymers; waste management