Characterization of Commercial Grades of Poly(Carbonate of Bisphenol A)

Abstract

This study characterized three different commercial grades of poly(carbonate of bisphenol A) samples (for extrusion, CD, and DVD) by several instrumental analysis methods, such as elemental analysis (EA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The results of EA and ICP-MS showed that the chemical composition of the samples has no significant differences and the C/H ratio approaches theoretical value. The most abundant metal element in the samples is Fe. FTIR spectra demonstrated they have the same chain structure. Comparing the intrinsic viscosities and viscosity average molecular weights from the results of viscometry analysis, the values fell in the order: extrusion grade > CD grade > DVD grade. Various thermal properties determined by DSC and TG analysis showed the same sequence as the results of viscometry analysis and a close relationship between molecular weight and thermal properties was found.