Analytical Method for Determining the Percentage Content of Polyfluorinated Compounds

Exeter Analytical (UK) has developed a reliable analytical method for accurately determining the percentage Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H) and Nitrogen (N) content of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs).

Polyfluorinated compounds are extremely thermally and chemically stable and have soil, water and fat-repellent properties. They are nearly non-biodegradable and accumulate in the environment and the food chain. Due to their specific technical characteristics - polyfluorinated compounds are used in quite a number of products such as in textiles, carpets, cosmetics, paper, packaging materials as well as in general in the chemical synthesis, metallation, photo and semi-conductor industries.

Generally compounds containing fluorine can be successfully analysed for percentage CHN content on an elemental microanalysis system under standard operating conditions. The magnesium oxide in the combustion tube reagent packing absorbs fluorine as HF, and releases the hydrogen. However, polyfluorinated samples, which are often difficult to combust, can give incorrect low carbon and high nitrogen data.

For these highly fluorinated compounds, Exeter Analytical have developed a new reliable analytical method based upon their Model 440 Elemental Analyser.

Benefiting from a horizontal furnace design, the Exeter Analytical Model 440, allows analysts to routinely and simply produce accurate and precise data on wide ranging sample types without system re-optimisation, saving precious time and reducing running costs.