The effect of polarization of polyethylene films on migration of low-molecular-mass contaminants

The effect of poling on the kinetics of migration and the total amount of a migrant transferred from polyethylene packaging materials into nonpolar and polar solvents was studied. A decrease in the amount of the migrant from polymer films to nonpolar isooctane and a slight decrease in that to polar ethanol as a result of poling are due to the effect of an induced electric field on the wetting, dissolution, and diffusion processes. Although the formation of oxidized groups on the film surface by corona poling had an effect on the migration process, this effect was not a determining factor. It was noted that the holding of poled materials in ethanol at 40°C resulted in a significant reduction of their electret properties by the sixth day and practically complete charge relaxation by the tenth day. On the basis of the results obtained, it was concluded that the examined polyethylene films hold promise as active food-packaging materials.