Measurement of chlorinated hydrocarbons adsorbed on polyethylene film by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique for surface characterization of penetrant diffusion through polymer. The ATR technique has been successfully employed for characterization of polymer-penetrant interaction and also for in-situ determination of the diffusion coefficient to small molecules. Polymer film enriches the chlorinated hydrocarbons and concentrates them within the penetration depth of the evanescent region of the ATR prism. The aim of this study was to investigate the diffusion behavior and to determine the diffusion coefficient of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds in polymer matrix. This work gain an insight understanding of the diffusion of small molecules into LDPE film as a function of time by varies parameters of both polymer (Percentage of crystallinity and Additive) and diffusant properties (Species and Concentration). The information obtained from this study will be employed for designing new ATR sensor for measurement both dissolved and slightly dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons in water.