Rapid analysis of polyolefin antioxidants and light stabilisers by supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract

Nineteen commercial antioxidants and light stabilisers, with a wide range of relative molecular masses and boiling-points, present in polyolefins were analysed by packed column supercritical fluid chromatography on four different phases with CO₂ or 10% MeOH-CO₂ as the mobile phase and with UV detection. The technique is shown to yield short analysis times and sufficient resolution for a number of additives present in a given polyolefin.