Effects of UVC irradiation on polystyrene for healthcare packaging: Study by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy with thermoluminescence

Abstract

The interaction between ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) and polystyrene (PS) materials has been investigated, particularly in post-packaging irradiation processes for healthcare applications. Effective UVC penetration through PS materials, regardless of their thickness (0.16 and 0.40 mm) has been observed. However, the penetration effectiveness could be affected by the thickness of the PS material. Achieving optimal post-packaging UVC treatment requires a thorough evaluation of chemical composition and material thickness, especially in pharmaceutical and medical packaging industries. Preliminary results reveal minimal degradation in UVC-irradiated PS packaging samples, as supported by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy characterization. Minor variations could be attributed to intrinsic PS materials properties and/or their respective background, rather than the influence of UVC radiation. Consequently, PS materials exhibit resilience under the experimental conditions following UVC irradiation treatment. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of thermoluminescence (TL) emissions evaluates several commercial dosimeter materials for UVC radiation detection. The TLD-100 and TLD-200 dosimeters show potential as UVC detectors, displaying distinct responses linked to the non-ionizing component of UVC radiation at 310 °C and in the range of 150–250 °C, respectively. However, the TLD-400 and GR-200 dosimeters are not suitable for UVC detection due to their spread TL emissions considering intensity and curve shape. This UVC-TL analysis consistently detects radiation in the proposed commercial dosimeter materials one-hour post-exposure, providing assurance that healthcare materials have been irradiated. Such analysis enhances reliability during extended UVC exposures, offering valuable insights for industries employing UVC-irradiated materials, particularly in healthcare applications.