Determination of trace amounts of polydimethylsiloxane in extracts of chemicals by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to determine trace amounts of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in plastics additives, dyes and pigments. An efficient Soxhlet extraction procedure using pentane is proposed. Accurate, quantitative results were achieved with samples containing siloxanes at the µg g^–1 level. The quantification limit was found to be 0.1 µg g^–1 of PDMS. This is the level at which acceptable recoveries were found.