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Analyze synthetic polymers in the environment

Mass spectrometry is used to study a variety of synthetic polymers because it is highly sensitive, has low sample consumption and delivers fast analysis, which are assets when analyzing the complex formulations of polymers in the environment.1

Synthetic polymers are used in a variety of applications, from biomedicine to food packaging and nylon clothing. These types of polymers are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and several studies have found that some of them are a threat to the ecosystem.2-3 

For this reason, there is a rising need for the ability to thoroughly analyze polymers, plastics, elastomers, sealants, composites and other polymer compounds in the environment. However, this is often a challenging task, as the large number of possible monomer combinations makes characterization of these compounds extremely complex.

Mass spectrometry as a tool to advance polymer analysis

As new applications emerge, the need grows for a robust tool that can structurally analyze the composition of synthetic polymers in environmental matrices such as water and soil. Leverage the power of mass spectrometry to

  • Monitor, detect and quantify very low levels of compounds on a single instrument
  • Eliminate the effects of matrices on results
  • Get results from your data quickly
  1. Montaudo, G.; Lattimer, R.P. Mass Spectrometry of Polymers; CRC Press, 2002.
  2. Rios, L. M.; Moore, C.; Jones, P. R. Persistent organic pollutants carried by synthetic polymers in the ocean environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2007, 54(8), 1230–1237. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.03.022
  3. Moore, C. J. Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: A rapidly increasing, long-term threat. Environmental Research 2008, 108(2), 131–139. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2008.07.025
X500R QTOF System

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