Modifying the sorption capacity of polyethylene for organic compounds.

摘要

Several concentrations of sorbents (activated carbon and Tenax) blended polyethylene films were made to observe their sorption behavior against limonene, ethyl acetate, and toluene. A gravimetric method was used to determine the sorption characteristics of the films. In addition, density and selected mechanical properties of the sample were measured. To obtain a close look of the distribution of sorbents in the polymer's matrix, sample were observed under an optical microscope.; Activated carbon blended polyethylene films sorbed greater amounts of organic volatiles than polyethylene for all sorbates. Tenax blended polyethylene films showed good sorption behavior for ethyl acetate and toluene. However, very little sorption was observed for limonene.; From the sorption study of several types of polyethylene samples (granular, thin, and thick films), the sorption characteristics seemed to be concentration dependent. But that was not confirmed in this study.