The extent of unwanted infrared photoacoustic signals from polymer sampling tubings exposed to ultraviolet radiation

Abstract The extent of unwanted photoacoustic (PA) signals due to volatiles released from various polymer tubing materials [transparent, red and black polyethylene (PE), polymer of tetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and copolymer of tetrafluorethylene and hexafluorethylene (FEP)] when exposed to 245 nm radiation was determined in spectral region of CO 2 laser. The magnitude of PA signal decreases/increases when UV radiation is turned off/on suggesting formation of volatiles as a results of tubing/UV light interaction. The data obtained in this study suggests the necessity to shield polymer tubings. Generated volatiles were also analyzed independently by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.