Uneven distribution of minor metals and migration of isotopes in polymeric material （polypropylene） - originating under certain physical and chemical conditions-could possibly affect the stability and bio-compatibil...Uneven distribution of minor metals and migration of isotopes in polymeric material （polypropylene） - originating under certain physical and chemical conditions-could possibly affect the stability and bio-compatibility of such material. Unusually high levels of embedded surface metal isotopes from migration effects could affect studies such as tissue engineering and biospecific adhesion of cells to polymeric surfaces. There is, therefore, a general need to know the distribution of metal isotopes in such polymeric materials. We have developed an ultrasensitive technique for assessing the isotopic distribution in polymer matrices, and studying migration of metal isotopes. The technique uses laser ablation linked to an ICP-MS instrument. It is semi-quantitative and capable of high-resolution detection over a wide range of elemental levels. Polymers usually contain catalytic residues and other minor metal impurities. Some of the isotopes of these metals migrate to the surface, while others remain embedded deep in the polymeric product. Such unwanted metallic residues and isotopes could be a potential hazard, and ablative laser technology has the ability to study homogeneity of such distributions in the polymer matrix. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the potential of our method for studying isotope migration using suitable polypropylene samples.展开更多
文摘Uneven distribution of minor metals and migration of isotopes in polymeric material （polypropylene） - originating under certain physical and chemical conditions-could possibly affect the stability and bio-compatibility of such material. Unusually high levels of embedded surface metal isotopes from migration effects could affect studies such as tissue engineering and biospecific adhesion of cells to polymeric surfaces. There is, therefore, a general need to know the distribution of metal isotopes in such polymeric materials. We have developed an ultrasensitive technique for assessing the isotopic distribution in polymer matrices, and studying migration of metal isotopes. The technique uses laser ablation linked to an ICP-MS instrument. It is semi-quantitative and capable of high-resolution detection over a wide range of elemental levels. Polymers usually contain catalytic residues and other minor metal impurities. Some of the isotopes of these metals migrate to the surface, while others remain embedded deep in the polymeric product. Such unwanted metallic residues and isotopes could be a potential hazard, and ablative laser technology has the ability to study homogeneity of such distributions in the polymer matrix. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the potential of our method for studying isotope migration using suitable polypropylene samples.
