The Determination of Solvents in Polymers by a Simple Direct GC/MS Method

Small amounts of residual solvents may cause disproportionately large effects on the properties of polymers and adhesives. A number of methods for determining occluded solvents have been proposed. Suzuki et al have used a vaporizing attachment that was directly connected to the inlet of a gas chromatograph. Vapor desorbed from the polymer was introduced periodically into the gas chromatograph through a multiport valve by a stream of nitrogen. Residual solvents in samples were determined in the 10–50 ppm. range.