Quantitative extraction analysis of brominated flame retardant substances using supercritical-fluid method for environmental assessment

For the evaluation of brominated flame retardants included in polymeric electronic devices, we investigated the extraction methods and solvent systems for four different types of polymers of PC (polycarbonate), PP (polyropylene), PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) andPBT (poly(butylene terephthalate)) using different solvent systems of hexane/acetone, THF, toluene, and THF/toluene. In order to compare the extraction efficiency of different methods and solvent systems, the deca-BDE (decabromo diphenyl ether) flame retardant was included in PC, PP, PET and PBT systems and subsequently extracted by soxhlet, ultrasonic, accelerated solvent, microwave and supercritical fluid extraction methods. The amount of the extracted flame retardant was monitored to evaluate the extraction efficiency. The ultrasonic extraction method was found not to be acceptable as an extraction method for the polymer systems mainly due to a low salvation efficiendy of the organic solvents. Soxhlet, accelerated solvent and microwave extraction methods exhibited over 80% of extraction efficiency for toluene. The supercritical fluid extraction method, which has been used as an extraction method for flame retardants in polymers, showed the extraction efficiencies of ca. 100% for PC and PP in the optimal extraction conditions of 60 °C and 120 bar.