THE EXTENT OF UNWANTED INFRARED PHOTOACOUSTIC SIGNALS FROM POLYMER SAMPLING TUBINGS EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET-RADIATION

The extent of unwanted photoacoustic (PA) signals due to volatiles rel eased from various polymer tubing materials [transparent, red and blac k polyethylene (PE), polymer of tetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and copolyme r of tetrafluorethylene and hexafluorethylene (FEP)] when exposed to 2 45 nm radiation was determined in spectral region of CO2 laser. The ma gnitude of PA signal decreases/increases when UV radiation is turned o ff/on suggesting formation of volatiles as a results of tubing/UV ligh t interaction. The data obtained in this study suggests the necessity to shield polymer tubings. Generated volatiles were also analyzed inde pendently by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.