Terahertz Spectral Properties of PEO-Based Anti-Adhesion Films Cross-Linked by Electron Beam Irradiation

Abstract

We investigated the spectral property changes in anti-adhesion films, which were cross-linked and surface-modified through electron beam irradiation, using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Polyethylene oxide (PEO), which is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, was the main component of these anti-adhesion films being manufactured for testing. The terahertz characteristics of the films were affected by the porosity generated during the freeze-drying and compression processes of sample preparation, and this was confirmed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. An anti-adhesion polymer film made without porosity was measured by using the THz-TDS method, and it was confirmed that the refractive index and absorption coefficient were dependent on the crosslinking state. To our knowledge, this is the first experiment on the feasibility of monitoring cross-linking states using terahertz waves. The THz-TDS method has potential as a useful nondestructive technique for polymer inspection and analysis.

THz application for monitoring of polymer medical films crosslinked by electron beam

“…The refractive index of the crosslinked film is clearly larger than that of the noncross-linked film. The refractive indices of the cross-linked film were approximately 0.1 greater than those of the noncross-linked film [4].…”

“…The size of the pores was mm in size, so the THz measurements were inevitably affected by the pores. The refractive indices of the thin films were calculated between 1.4 and 1.6 [4]. In lower on Figure 3, the corrugations of refractive index of the cross-linked film and reference film were disappeared in thick film measurements.…”

Review of Bioplastics Characterisation by Terahertz Techniques in the View of Ensuring a Circular Economy

“…THz-TDS was applied to monitor the cross-linking states of polyethylene oxide (PEO), which is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer present in the anti-adhesion films in medicine [169]. They also noticed that THz-TDS has the potential to non-destructively analyse the voids and moisture characteristics within the biopolymer film.…”