Well this certainly does help out, and I sincerely appreciated the timely and well-considered replies.
For my part, at the 1 p.m. meeting I will tell them:
1) IT is possible to use the DCM/acid extraction method to recover the PDMS analyte. Also, that toluene is another solvent that has been shown to be effective.
2) Use of the FTIR to quantify PDMS presents a whole 'nother realm of issues, namely,
a) the sod.chlor. plates: it is difficult to sometimes get the drop to be right in the center of the plate and the variance in the "volume" of a "drop" is another counfounder.
b) suggest we order/purch. a "flow cell" (not sure from whom or price$?) but this has been shown by other investigators (quoting this online source
of forum writers Train, Marquis) to be effective.
c) will try to use a pipetteman to repeatably deliver 10uL of sample instead of relying on drops.
3) Problems to resolve: a) signature peaks to use for quantifying is a dilemma---when I tried using the 1014/1091 doublet it was effective; however, when I used the 1260 singlet it also appeared in my negative controls. So, some "method devel" is indicated here.
I think they will be pleased to at least see effort/progress notwithstanding the problems encountered.