Spectroscopic Identification of Musk Ambrette as a VOC and Phototoxicity Marker in Aircraft Cabin Materials

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: Aviation Technologies and Applications Conference (ATAConf'25) Special Issue, 112 - 130, 31.12.2025

Cahit Bilgi

Abstract

This study investigates the use of musk ambrette (4-tert-butyl-3-methoxy-2,6-dinitrotoluene), a nitro-aromatic fragrance compound, as a spectral marker for material degradation and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission in aviation cabin materials. Musk ambrette exhibits distinct Fourier infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectral features, including strong nitro group stretches at 1520 cm⁻¹ and 1350 cm⁻¹, methoxy C–O stretches between 1250–1020 cm⁻¹, and UV absorbance in the 200–320 nm range. These properties enable quantitative tracking of photodecomposition and VOC release under simulated ageing conditions. Accelerated UV-aging (UVA) exposure over 72 hours resulted in a 45–60% reduction in NO₂ band intensity and a 50% decrease in UV absorbance at λ ≈ 305 nm, indicating significant molecular breakdown. Complementary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed increased VOC concentrations correlating with spectral decay. The study also addresses toxicological implications, as musk ambrette is known for phototoxic and photoallergenic effects. Spectral transformation products, including nitroso and amine derivatives, were monitored to assess potential health risks. This integrated approach demonstrates the feasibility of using musk ambrette as a dual-purpose marker for both material integrity and cabin air quality, offering a practical protocol for aviation safety assessments.

Keywords

Musk Ambrette , Aviation , Cabin , Volatile Organic Compound.

Kabin Malzemelerinde Uçucu Organik Bileşik (VOC) ve Fototoksisite Belirteci Olarak Misk-i Amber'in Spektroskopik Tanımlanması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, nitro-aromatik bir koku bileşiği olan misk-i amberin (4-tert-bütil-3-metoksi-2,6-dinitrotoluen), havacılık kabin malzemelerinde malzeme bozunumu ve uçucu organik bileşik (VOC) emisyonu için bir spektral belirteç olarak kullanımını araştırmaktadır. Misk-i amber, 1520 cm⁻¹ ve 1350 cm⁻¹'de güçlü nitro grubu gerilmeleri, 1250-1020 cm⁻¹ arasında metoksi C–O gerilmeleri ve 200-320 nm aralığında UV absorbansı dahil olmak üzere belirgin kızılötesi (FT-IR) ve ultraviyole-görünür (UV-Vis) spektral özellikler sergilemektedir. Bu özellikler, simüle edilmiş yaşlanma koşulları altında fotodekompozisyonun ve VOC salınımının nicel olarak izlenmesini sağlar. 72 saat boyunca hızlandırılmış UVA maruziyeti, NO₂ bant yoğunluğunda %45-60'lık bir azalmaya ve λ ≈ 305 nm'de UV absorbansında %50'lik bir azalmaya neden oldu ve bu da önemli moleküler bozulmaya işaret etti. Tamamlayıcı gaz kromatografisi – kütle spektroskopisi (GC-MS) analizi, spektral bozunmayla ilişkili artan VOC konsantrasyonlarını doğruladı. Çalışma ayrıca, misk-i amberin fototoksik ve fotoalerjenik etkileriyle bilindiği için toksikolojik etkileri de ele almaktadır. Nitrozo ve amin türevleri de dahil olmak üzere spektral dönüşüm ürünleri, potansiyel sağlık risklerini değerlendirmek için izlendi. Bu entegre yaklaşım, misk-i amberin hem malzeme bütünlüğü hem de kabin hava kalitesi için çift amaçlı bir belirteç olarak kullanılmasının uygulanabilirliğini göstererek havacılık güvenliği değerlendirmeleri için pratik bir protokol sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Misk-i Amber , Havacılık , Kabin , Uçucu Organik Bileşik.

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