The in-situ chemical analysis of polymer film coatings using static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS)

Abstract The SSIMS (static secondary ion mass spectrometry) analysis of a range of cellulose ethers, esters and poly(methacrylate) copolymers used as film coating agents in the pharmaceutical industry is described. Certain ions generated in the positive and/or negative SSIMS spectra appear to be characteristic of the particular polymer investigated, reflecting both the monomeric composition of the backbone chain and in particular the side-group substituents that are present. As a result, it appears that SSIMS is capable of positively identifying different film coating polymers when cast as films.