USE OF ATR-FTIR SPECTROSCOPY TO STUDY THE DIFFUSION OF ETHANOL THROUGH GLYCEROGELATIN FILMS

The use of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to study the permeability of a glycer ogelatin film is described. Measurement of the diffusion coefficient o f ethyl alcohol-d in the film showed excellent reproducibility. Compar ison of results from this technique with those previously obtained usi ng an air-flow receptor phase diffusion cell show good agreement in te rms of lag time assessed diffusion coefficients. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy revealed time-dependent changes in the composition of the glycerogela tin film during the diffusional process. It was also demonstrated that the concurrent assessment of both diffusant penetration and film comp osition is feasible.