Evaluation limit of O₂ permeability in barrier films by electrolytic oxygen pump

Abstract

Packaging foods, medicines, and electronic devices and shielding them with barrier films to protect them from oxidation and degradation are crucial technologies for the long-term preservation. In this paper a new evaluation device and the evaluation limit of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) in barrier films were described. The device was based on O2 pump, consisting of the cathode reaction of fuel cell (absorbing O2) and anode reaction of water electrolysis (generating O2). By shielding the cathode with barrier films, the reaction current was strictly determined by the permeated O2 through the barrier film. OTRs in typical polymer films such as silicon rubber, polyethylene, and polyester (PET) were evaluated to confirm the method being consistent with conventional methods. The detection limit for high barrier films was examined and found to be approximately 10 cc/m2/day/atm at the present stage. The strategies to improve the detection limit were discussed.