Determination of carboxyl groups in the presence of carbonyl groups in oxidized polyolefins by using sulfur tetrafluoride

A simple analytical technique has been developed to determine the amount of carboxyl groups present in degraded polyethylene film. This procedure is based upon the relative reactivities of the various carbonyl groups present, in oxidized polyethylene film, to sulfur tetrafluoride gas. The quantity of the carboxyl groups in the film is then measured as a function of the absorption at 5.45 μ.