Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to study thin polymer films exposed to @entity11540 (EO). The i.r. technique represents a new way of studying this subject. The polymers studied were @entity2634 , @entity691 and @entity852 . They were exposed to EO, either in a small commercial EO-sterilizer which uses pure EO and operates at subatmospheric pressure, at a temperature of 37 or 55 degrees C, or under experimental laboratory conditions. The absorption and diffusion of EO in the polymers was studied. Potential reaction products, such as @entity10977 and @entity37771 , were looked for but could not be traced. The detection limit of the method was 1 ppm (microgram/g) EO. Typical spectra of the polymer films, before and after exposure to EO, are shown. Diffusion coefficients for @entity2634 and @entity691 have been calculated.

Infrared spectroscopic study of polymers exposed to XXXX .

@entity691 :: ('MESH:D020959', 'Chemical') :: ['polyethylene'] @entity11540 :: ('MESH:D005027', 'Chemical') :: ['ethylene oxide'] @entity852 :: ('MESH:D011137', 'Chemical') :: ['polystyrene'] @entity10977 :: ('MESH:D019855', 'Chemical') :: ['ethylene glycol'] @entity2634 :: ('MESH:D011143', 'Chemical') :: ['poly(vinyl chloride)'] @entity37771 :: ('MESH:D005023', 'Chemical') :: ['ethylene chlorohydrin']
@entity11540 :: (MESH:D005027,Chemical) :: ['ethylene oxide']
