Degradation of Polymeric Brominated Flame Retardants: Development of an Analytical Approach Using PolyFR and UV Irradiation.
Many well-established methods for studying the degradation of brominated flame retardants are not useful when working with polymeric and water insoluble species. An example for this specific class of flame retardants is PolyFR (polymeric flame retardant; CAS No 1195978-93-8), which is used as a substituent for hexabromocyclododecane. Although it has been on the market for two years now, almost no information is available about its long time behavior in the environment. Within this study, we focus on how to determine a possible degradation of both pure PolyFR as well as PolyFR in the final insulation product, expanded polystyrene foam. Therefore, we chose UV radiation followed by analyses of the total bromine content at different time points via ICP-MS and identified possible degradation products such as 2,4,6-tribromophenol through LC-MS. These results were then linked with measurements of the adsorbable organically bound bromine and total organic carbon in order to estimate their concentrations. With respect to the obtained1H NMR, GPC, and contact angle results, the possibility for further degradation was discussed, as UV irradiation can influence the decomposition of molecules in combination with other environmental factors like biodegradation.
Aquatic Ecology, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Deutsche Rockwool Mineralwoll GmbH & Co. OHG, 45966 Gladbeck, Germany.
Christoph
C
Koch
Technical Chemistry II, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Alexander
A
Dundua
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Technical Chemistry II, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Jackelyn
J
Aragon-Gomez
Aquatic Ecology, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Milen
M
Nachev
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Applied Analytical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Susanne
S
Stephan
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Sarah
S
Willach
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Technical Chemistry II, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Mathias
M
Ulbricht
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Applied Analytical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Oliver J
OJ
Schmitz
Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Torsten C
TC
Schmidt
Aquatic Ecology, University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.|Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen , 45141 Essen, Germany.
Bernd
B
Sures
D001966:Bromine; D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D001966:Bromine