A new method to evaluate oxygen permeability and biofuel diffusion in barrier films using fuel cells

Abstract

Barrier films are key materials not only to preserve foods in fresh from putrefaction, but also to shield electronics devices from oxygen and moisture. A new sensitive method for evaluation of oxygen permeability and biomolecules diffusion coefficients in barrier films is proposed. The principle is to utilize the function of fuel cells, whose output electrical current depends on flow rates of fuel and oxygen to electrodes. By placing barrier films before electrodes, the permeability of barrier films is estimated from the current. In this study, L-ascorbic acid is employed as a model fuel. Diffusion coefficients of fuels in various polymer films have been evaluated, as well as oxygen permeability of a few films.