Extracts from a silicone rubber product were characterized by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electrospray time-of-flight (ESI-ToF) mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The extracted sample was determined to be a complex mixture with a molecular weight ranging from 200 to 210,000 Da as determined from GPC measurements. GPC fractions of the extract sample were further analyzed by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, ESI-ToF mass spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy and GC/MS. The extracted products were determined to be macrocyclic poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers. Two additives known as bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were observed in the extract.

Keywords: characterization, mass spectrometry, extract analysis, polysiloxanes, GPC, MALDI, time-of-flight, electrospray ionization (ESI), FT-IR, GC-MS