PPE study of water migration in starch sheets under moist atmosphere

The photopyroelectric method in a non contact detection configuration is proposed to study water migration in starch sheets. This allows the exchange of humidity between the moist atmosphere and the starch sample during the experiment. The sensitivity for the total water content measurement was about 0.3%. A theoretical model was developed, taking into account a continuous depth profile of humidity in the starch sample. A water profile in the material and its evolution in time were evidenced when exposing one side of the sample to a humid atmosphere.