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Identification of volatile compounds resulting from the thermal oxidation of polyethylene
Author(s) -
Bravo A.,
Hotchkiss J. H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1993.070471004
Subject(s) - hexanal , chemistry , polyethylene , odor , boiling , thermal oxidation , mass spectrometry , organic chemistry , gas chromatography , polymer , chromatography , oxide
The migration of compounds from polymer‐based packaging may impart undesirable odors to foods. We, therefore, undertook a study of the volatile compounds produced during the heating of polyethylene (PE) in the presence of excess O 2 at temperatures of 150–350°C and for heating times of 5–15 min. Eightyfour volatile compounds in the range of C 5 —C 23 were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The major products were aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, and olefins. Changes in temperature and heating times affected the amount and type of compounds produced, with hexanal being found in the largest amount and 300°C resulting in the greatest quantity of volatile compounds. At 350°C, greater amounts and numbers of low‐boiling and fewer high‐boiling compounds were formed. Only small amounts of volatiles were produced at 150°C. Many of the compounds identified have been reported to have odor and/or toxicological significance. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.