Quantitative Analysis of Copolymers and Blends of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Elemental Analysis (EA)

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is one of the most important instrumental techniques used to study the molecular structure of organic polymers. As part of our efforts to increase instrumental use in the undergraduate chemistry laboratory we have developed a quantitative FTIR experiment for use in our quantitative and instrumental analysis courses. The objective of the experiment is to determine the percent composition of PVAc in copolymers and blends with polyethylene (PE) and n-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). We report on the experimental methods used and the results obtained on examining the quantitative FTIR and elemental analysis of a series of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVAc) copolymers. The EVAc copolymers ranged from 10% to 70% PVAc. Copolymers and blends of n-vinyl pyrrolidone-polyvinyl acetate (PVP/PVAc) ranging from 20% to 80% PVAc were also analyzed.