Analysis of Fiber Finishes Using SFE Coupled to a Simple, Universal IR Flow Cell

Abstract

This paper presents a method for analyzing polyurethane fiber finishes based on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) coupled directly to an infrared (IR) spectrometer by means of a simple, universal IR flow cell. In this method, supercritical CO 2 is used to replace environmentally hazardous perchlorinated solvents. An automated sampleloading SFE extractor reduces analysis labor. Extract effluent from the extractor flows through a heated capillary transfer line and a high-pressure, standard-geometry IR flow cell. The flow cell can be used to couple the SFE extractor with almost any IR spectrometer. The system is tested with a fiber finish analysis method using polyurethane fiber samples, and the data and other fundamental information are presented.

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Extraction

“…Liescheski used a flow-cell approach to IR and monitored the vinylic C-H band to measure the iodine number in edible oils (267). Liescheski et al used the same approach to characterize polyurethane fiber finishes (268).…”