Microwave-assisted extraction for qualitative and quantitative determination of brominated flame retardants in styrenic plastic fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Talanta. 2009 Apr 15;78(1):33-9. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2008.10.038. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bromine
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Electronics
  • Equipment Reuse
  • Flame Retardants / analysis*
  • Industrial Waste / analysis*
  • Microwaves
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / isolation & purification*
  • Styrenes / chemistry
  • Styrenes / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Flame Retardants
  • Industrial Waste
  • Polymers
  • Styrenes
  • Bromine