Altered Oxygen Permeation Through Packaging Polymers in Contact with Liquids—a Mathematical Model Confirmed in a Dilute Xanthan Gum Solution

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe ability of liquids to reduce oxygen permeation through low density polyethylene (LDPE), oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terepthalate (PET), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVTDC) films was mathematically modeled using a water/xanthan solution as a model medium. For low barrier films (LDPE and OPP), the medium substantially reduced oxygen permeation. In PET, an intermediate barrier, the medium produced a recognizable, but minor reductions in permeation. For the highest barrier (PVDC), the medium's influence on permeation was almost unidentifiable. The effect of the medium's oxygen solubility constant and diffusion coefficient on permeation was also examined. For all films, reduction in permeation became significant only after solubility and diffusion values fell below 40% of water values.