Analysis and fate of the hindered amine light stabilizer Tinuvin 622 in polyester powder coatings using high performance liquid chromatography / time of flight mass spectrometry

Hindered amine light stabilizers are used to protect polymers from heat- and light-induced degradation. In this study the oligomeric stabilizer Tinuvin 622 was analysed in-depth employing high performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/TOF-MS) to differentiate products of different manufacturers in respect of their terminating groups and oligomer length. Additionally, the behaviour of the stabilizer in uncured and cured polyester powder coatings was investigated regarding its interaction with the other coating components and chemical changes during the crosslinking process. The extraction efficiency was determined as a function of oligomer length and coating colour.     

ESR imaging and FTIR study of thermally treated poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) containing a hindered amine stabilizer: Effect of polymer morphology, and butadiene and stabilizer content

Electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) was applied to the study of thermal degradation at 393 K of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) prepared by emulsion polymerization and containing 25% wt butadiene (ABS-25B). The polymer was doped with 1 or 2% wt Tinuvin 770 as the hindered amine stabilizer (HAS). The spatial distribution of the HAS-derived nitroxide radicals, obtained by 1D ESRI, was initially homogeneous, but became heterogeneous through sample depth with increasing treatment time, t. The spatial variation of ESR line shaping with sample depth was visualized by 2D spectral-spatial ESRI. ESR spectra along the sample depth, obtained by nondestructive (“virtual”) slicing of the 2D images, were used to deduce the relative intensity of nitroxide radicals present in two dynamically distinct sites; the sites were assigned to butadiene-rich (fast component) and SAN-rich domains (slow component), respectively. 1D and 2D ESRI allowed the determination of the extent of degradation within morphologically-distinct domains as a function of sample depth and treatment time. The results from the ESRI experiments were substantiated by attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR spectroscopy of the outer layer (500 μm thick) of the polymer. Both techniques indicated faster degradation of polymer samples that contained the higher HAS content, 2% wt. Comparison with the results obtained for a parallel study of ABS prepared by mass polymerization and containing 10% wt butadiene (ABS-10B) indicated clearly that the rate of degradation of the polymer prepared by emulsion polymerization (ABS-25B) is significantly reduced. This result can be explained by the formation of cross-linked “composite” networks during emulsion polymerization, which leads to greater thermal stability.     

Quantitative analysis of hindered amine light stabilizers by CZE with UV detection and quadrupole TOF mass spectrometric detection

The current work describes the development of a CZE method with quadrupole QTOF‐MS detection and UV detection for the quantitation of Cyasorb 3529, a common hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), in polymer materials. Analysis of real polymer samples revealed that the oligomer composition of Cyasorb 3529 changes during processing, a fact hampering the development of a straightforward method for quantitation based on calibration with a Cyasorb 3529 standard. To overcome this obstacle in‐depth investigations of the oligomer composition of this HALS using QTOF‐MS and QTOF‐MS/MS had to be performed whereby 22 new oligomer structures, in addition to the ten structures already described, were identified. Finally, a CZE method for quantitative analysis of this HALS was developed starting with a comprehensive characterization of a Cyasorb 3529 standard using CZE‐QTOF‐MS, subsequently allowing the correct assignment of most Cyasorb 3529 oligomers in an electropherogram with UV detection. Employing the latter detection technique and hexamethyl‐melamine as internal standard, peak areas obtained for the melamine could be correlated with those from the triazine ring, the UV‐absorbing unit present in the HALS. This approach finally allowed proper quantitation of the single oligomers of Cyasorb 3529, an imperative for the quantitative assessment of this HALS in real polymer samples.     

Rapid determination of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers in polymeric materials

Hindered amine light stabilizers are essential for the stabilization of synthetic polymers, particularly for materials used for outdoor applications. Although up to now a considerable number of studies dealing with the analytics of this class of stabilizers had been published, especially the determination of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers is still an analytical challenge. In the current work, a fast and simple liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers is presented. A key aspect of this method is their completely different retention behavior depending on the pH, enabling a single peak elution approach by a pH gradient run. This allows a quantitation with simple UV detection independent of the actual oligomeric composition. Calibration curves within the concentration range relevant for the analysis of real polymer samples (LOQ = 70 mg/L) were constructed with R ² values above 0.99. Spiked extracts from polyolefin samples showed recovery rates between 97.3 and 102.9% for five different commercial hindered amine light stabilizers. Relative standard deviations were between 2.0 and 3.9%. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the employed approach can be easily adapted for mass spectrometry detection.     

Separation and characterization of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric detection

Hindered amine light stabilizers are an important class of stabilizers that protect synthetic polymers from degradation and thus from changing mechanical and optical properties. The current study presents an HPLC method capable of separating oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers on a commercially available stationary phase, employing an MS‐compatible novel mobile phase. Based on the exact masses observed with Q‐TOF‐MS, a comprehensive characterization of five different types of oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers was achieved, leading to structural information not included in the datasheets provided by the suppliers. For the different investigated hindered amine light stabilizers, a number of recurring units up to 17 and a molecular weight of 5200 g/mol were detected. Furthermore, the analysis of stabilizer extracts of processed polypropylene samples containing different types of hindered amine light stabilizers revealed significant differences in the oligomeric pattern between standards and polymer samples. Thus, changes in the analytes’ oligomeric pattern resulting from processing or aging of polymer materials can be monitored with the presented method.     

Characterising in situ activation and degradation of hindered amine light stabilisers using liquid extraction surface analysis-mass spectrometry

Changes in the molecular structure of polymer antioxidants such as hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) is central to their efficacy in retarding polymer degradation and therefore requires careful monitoring during their in-service lifetime. The HALS, bis-(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (TIN123) and bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (TIN292), were formulated in different polymer systems and then exposed to various curing and ageing treatments to simulate in-service use. Samples of these coatings were then analysed directly using liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Analysis of TIN123 formulated in a cross-linked polyester revealed that the polymer matrix protected TIN123 from undergoing extensive thermal degradation that would normally occur at 292 °C, specifically, changes at the 1- and 4-positions of the piperidine groups. The effect of thermal versus photo-oxidative degradation was also compared for TIN292 formulated in polyacrylate films by monitoring the in situ conversion of N-CH₃ substituted piperidines to N-H. The analysis confirmed that UV light was required for the conversion of N-CH₃ moieties to N-H – a major pathway in the antioxidant protection of polymers – whereas this conversion was not observed with thermal degradation. The use of tandem mass spectrometric techniques, including precursor-ion scanning, is shown to be highly sensitive and specific for detecting molecular-level changes in HALS compounds and, when coupled with LESA, able to monitor these changes in situ with speed and reproducibility.     

Quantitation of hindered amine light stabilizers in plastic materials by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric detection using electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization

In this work new high performance liquid chromatographic methods in combination with mass spectrometry have been developed for the quantitation of hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) which are commonly used as monomeric and oligomeric species for stabilization of plastic materials. These analytes are difficult to separate under traditional reversed phase conditions. In the present study new silica-based pH stable reversed phases that had become available recently were investigated for HALS analysis, and turned out to be well suited employing mobile phases at a pH of around 11 adjusted by addition of ammonia. Detection was done by mass spectrometry employing both time-of-flight and triple quadrupole mass analyzers. The performance of electrospray ionization (ESI) as well as atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) was investigated and compared. Despite the high pH of the mobile phase, an excellent ionization could be obtained in the positive ion mode. ESI provided slightly lower limits of quantitation (on average a factor of 2) in comparison with APPI. The method allowed the quantitation of a range of different HALS down to 0.05–0.005% (depending on the HALS) in polymeric materials. Sample preparation consisted in dissolving the sample in toluene and precipitation of the polymer with acetone. The procedure can be routinely applied to aging tests of plastic materials in order to predict the lifetime of plastic components.     

STUDY OF GRAFTING COPOLYMER OF STYRENE AND 2,2,6,6-TETRAMETHYL-4-PIPERIDINYL METHACRYATE ONTO POLYPROPYLENE DURING HEATING

The grafting of copolymer of styrene and 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl methacrylate onto polypropylene during heating was studied by IR and ESR. It is found that the graft reaction is going through the stable free radical > NO mechanism.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NEW STABILIZERS WITH OPTIMAL MOLECULAR WEIGHT*

Over 2×10~8 tons of polymers are produced every year, and a large portion of polymers faces the degradationproblem. There are many effective methods to protect polymers against degradation and the addition of stabilizers to polymerremains the most convenient and effective way of enhancing polymer life and performance. In this article, a series of effectivestabilizers with optimal molecular weight (MW), including common, monomeric and polymeric stabilizers (antioxidant andlight stabilizer) were synthesized using isocyanation, controlled isocyanation, hydrosilylation, epoxide addition, macro-reaction of stabilizing functional compounds and polymerization of monomeric stabilizers. The structure and performance ofthese new stabilizers were characterized by using IR, NMR, MS, UV-spectra XPS and elemental analysis. The currentdevelopment of stabilizer synthesis was also reviewed.     

丙烯-马来酸哌啶酯共聚物的合成与表征

<正> 以2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶为母体的衍生物作为受阻胺光稳定剂,其效率约为镍-螯合物光稳定剂的2—6倍,已引起人们的注意,但是小分子受阻胺易于挥发,从而使其光稳定作用较差。为了克服上述缺点,使受阻胺稳定剂高分子化是近年来展的趋势,本文合成了含有“丙烯”单元的高分子受阻胺光稳定剂——丙烯-马来酸哌啶酯共聚物,力求改进它与丙烯的相容性,提高光稳定效率,本文还对共聚物进行表征。     

A study of the photolysis of a commercial hindered amine light stabilizer

The photolysis of a commercial hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) has been studied with a range of experimental methods. The results show that the stabilizer is easily photolyzed and photolysis mechanisms are proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell polyacrylate particles containing hindered amine light stabilizers

A polymerizable hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl acrylate (PMPA) was synthesized through transesterification of 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-ol (PMP) with methyl acrylate (MA). Core-shell latex particles containing HALS moieties in the shell phase were prepared by two-stage seeded emulsion polymerization from n-butyl acrylate (BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and PMPA. The Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) analysis showed that PMPA monomer was successfully prepared and was effectively involved in the polyacrylate particles. The surface composition was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the results indicated that HALS-containing groups could be distributed on the surfaces of the particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the particles obtained presented a core-shell structure with a particle size around 100 nm. Two glass transition temperatures (T_g), assigned to the core phase and the shell phase of the particles, respectively, were observed for both HALS-containing and HALS-free particles, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the T_g value for the shell phase of HALS-containing particles was 13 °C lower than that of HALS-free particles, indicating the presence of random copolymer between MMA monomer and PMPA comonomer in the shell phase. The thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential thermal gravimetric (DTG) results showed that HALS-containing particles provided an improvement in thermal stability in comparison to HALS-free particles.     

新型受阻胺光稳定剂3-（2，2，6，6-四甲基哌啶4-氨基）丙酸十二酯的合成

建立了受阻胺光稳定剂3-(2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-4-氨基)丙酸十二酯的合成工艺.以2,2,6,6-四甲基-4-哌啶胺、丙烯酸甲酯为原料,经M ichael加成,生成的3-(2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-4-氨基)丙酸甲酯再与十二醇进行酯交换反应制得.并对所涉及的酯交换反应的工艺参数进行了优化.实验结果表明,四异丙基钛酸酯催化剂的催化效果最好;在3-(2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-4-氨基)丙酸甲酯与十二醇的摩尔比为1∶1.10,四异丙基钛酸酯催化剂的用量为反应物总质量的0.30%,反应温度180℃,反应时间8 h的条件下,酯交换反应收率为90.6%.该工艺总收率为86.3%.目标产物及中间体的结构通过MS进行了表征.     

Structural identification of hindered amine light stabilisers in coil coatings using electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

Hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) are the most effective antioxidants currently available for polymer systems in post‐production, in‐service applications, yet the mechanism of their action is still not fully understood. Structural characterisation of HALS in polymer matrices, particularly the identification of structural modifications brought about by oxidative conditions, is critical to aid mechanistic understanding of the prophylactic effects of these molecules. In this work, electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) was applied to the analysis of a suite of commercially available 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐based HALS. Fragmentation mechanisms for the [M + H]⁺ ions are proposed, which provide a rationale for the product ions observed in the MS/MS and MS³ mass spectra of N‐H, N‐CH₃, N‐C(O)CH₃ and N‐OR containing HALS (where R is an alkyl substituent). A common product ion at m/z 123 was identified for the group of antioxidants containing N‐H, N‐CH₃ or N‐C(O)CH₃ functionality, and this product ion was employed in precursor ion scans on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer to identify the HALS species present in a crude extract from of a polyester‐based coil coating. Using MS/MS, two degradation products were unambiguously identified. This technique provides a simple and selective approach to monitoring HALS structures within complex matrices. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The photolysis in polymer matrices of dyes containing a benzothioxanthene chromophore linked with a hindered amine

Novel dyes based on a benzothioxantheneimide chromophore covalently linked with a sterically hindered amine (HAS) were prepared and their light stability was tested in polymer matrices. The following dyes: 2-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-thioxantheno[2,1,9-dej]isoquinoline-1,3-dione (BTXINH) and N-alkoxy derivative 2-(1-(1′-phenylethoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-thioxantheno[2,1,9-dej] isoquinoline-1,3-dione (BTXINOR) were prepared. For comparison the parent dye without HAS structural unit benzothioxanthene-3,4-dicarboxylic anhydride and the N-alkyl derivative 2-(1-dodecyl)-thioxantheno[2,1,9-dej]isoquinoline-1,3-dione (BTXID) and the stable nitroxyl radical 2-(1-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-thioxantheno[2,1,9-dej]isoquinoline-1,3-dione (BTXINO) were also tested. Their spectral properties, absorption and fluorescence have been examined in polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and in isotactic polypropylene (PP). The light stability of these dyes and model compounds were examined in thin polymer films. The photolysis rate was monitored by UV spectroscopy and for all additives under study it was in the range 10⁻⁴–10⁻³ h⁻¹. The rate of decomposition was the lowest for the parent amine BTXINH in PMMA, PS and PVC. The rate constants of photolysis are about 10 times higher for all adducts and the lowest rate of decomposition in PP matrix was observed for BTXINOR. A distinct stabilization effect of HAS structural unit on the dye decomposition was not observed. The light stability of the dyes was more influenced by the selection of the polymer. The photolysis proceeds rather fast in PP, and moderately in PS and PVC compared to PMMA.     

Photodegradation of bisphenol A polycarbonate with different types of stabilizers

When unstabilized bisphenol A polycarbonate is exposed to outdoor weathering conditions, it degrades due to irradiation, humidity and other parameters. To overcome this undesired degradation process BPA-PC can be stabilized. In this study the influence of different types of stabilizers (i.e. UV-absorbers and hindered amine stabilizers) on the photodegradation of BPA-PC were compared. It is shown that the best way to stabilize BPA-PC is to keep the harmful UV light out. Almost all stabilizers caused a decreased degradation rate. The UVAs showed the best results, although radical scavengers cause a decrease in degradation too. By applying a layer of UVA-stabilized BPA-PC on top of unstabilized BPA-PC led to a decreased degradation rate of the unstabilized BPA-PC, which can quantitatively be explained by a reduction of the irradiation intensity.     

MALDI TOF‐TOF characterization of a light stabilizer polymer contaminant from polypropylene or polyethylene plastic test tubes

Disposable plasticware such as plastic test tubes are routinely used in all proteomics laboratories. Additives in polymers are used to protect them against oxygen or ultraviolet (UV) light degradation. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs) are of utmost importance in modern polyolefin (polypropylene, polyethylene) stabilization. In this article, we demonstrate that the manufacturing polymeric agent: poly‐(N‐β‐hydroxyethyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐hydroxy‐piperidinyl succinate), known as Tinuvin‐622 or Lowilite 62, from the HALS family, leaches from laboratory polypropylene or polyethylene plastic test tubes into the standard solvents for sample preparation. The analysis of these polluted samples by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry, in the positive mode, shows highly contaminated mass spectra, due to the high sensitivity of this technique. These contaminants have mass range and mass defect similar to those of peptides arising from the digestion of a protein in a conventional proteomics study. Therefore, they can be really harmful for proteomics studies, leading to misattributions, preventing any protein identification. In this article, an MS and MS/MS fingerprint of this pollutant is given and some pieces of advice to avoid it are proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble PEGylated lignin-based polymers by macromolecular azo coupling reaction

Water-soluble PEGylated lignin polymers were efficiently synthesized by macromolecular azo coupling reaction between alkali lignin and PEG based macromolecular diazonium salts in alkaline water.     

Formation of polymer-bonded nitroxyl radicals in the UV stabilization of polypropylene by a bifunctional hindered amine light stabilizer

The formation of polymer-bonded stabilizer derivatives during photooxidation of isotactic polypropylene, which contains the hindered amine light stabilizer bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate and the corresponding bisnitroxyl radical, was investigated. The photooxidized polypropylene films that contain these additives were studied by ESR, IR, and nitrogen analysis before and after exhaustive solvent extraction of the photooxidized films. ESR showed that under the conditions in use a maximum of 20% of the nitroxyl radicals formed from the hindered amine was bonded to the polymer chain. Regeneration of nitroxyl radicals from the polymer-bonded stabilizer derivatives under photooxidative conditions indicated that the stabilizer was bonded to the polymer chain by O-alkyl-substituted hydroxylamine linkages >N? O? PP.