XPS Surface Characterization of Disposable Laboratory Gloves and the Transfer of Glove Components to Other Surfaces

Significance of the Topic

The use of disposable laboratory gloves, made from nitrile, latex, or neoprene, is essential for personal protection and preventing sample contamination in research and industrial environments. However, glove materials often contain surface additives and residual manufacturing chemicals that can compromise the cleanliness of critical surfaces and interfere with sensitive analytical measurements, making it crucial to understand the nature and transferability of these surface components.

Study Objectives and Overview

This study employed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to (1) characterize the elemental and chemical surface composition of the inner and outer surfaces of 15 powder-free glove products, (2) assess changes after rinsing with common laboratory solvents (acetone, chloroform, hexane, methanol), and (3) evaluate the transfer of glove-derived contaminants to aluminum foil via light touch, comparing glove-mediated transfer with bare finger controls.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Samples were cut into 1 mm×1 mm sections from unopened sealed gloves to avoid external contamination. A Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS system with monochromated Al Kα source and 400 µm spot size provided survey spectra (0–1350 eV), high-resolution scans for chemical-state analysis, and argon-ion sputter depth profiling (1 keV Ar⁺). Binding energies were referenced to the C 1s peak at 285.0 eV. Surface transfer tests involved lightly touching clean aluminum foil followed by XPS analysis.

Key Results and Discussion

XPS survey data revealed significant variability among glove types and brands. Nitrile gloves exhibited low oxygen content with minor Si, S, and Ca, while latex gloves showed elevated O, N, Mg, Si, S, Cl, Ca, P, and Zn. Inner surfaces often differed markedly from outer surfaces, indicating surface coatings and additive segregation. High-resolution spectra identified functional groups such as C–N/ethers, carbonates, sulfides/sulfates, and silicone/silicate species. Solvent rinses altered surface composition in a solvent- and glove-dependent manner: for instance, all solvents removed Cl from one latex glove but only methanol removed Cl from a nitrile sample; Si content decreased on nitrile but increased on latex samples after solvents.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This work demonstrates XPS as a powerful tool to profile glove surfaces and detect transferable contaminants, enabling informed glove selection and handling protocols to minimize sample contamination in surface-sensitive analyses and manufacturing processes. It highlights the importance of clean handling tools and techniques over direct glove contact for critical surfaces.

Future Trends and Applications

Advances may include development of glove materials with reduced additive leaching, integrated real-time surface monitoring for contamination control, and broader application of surface-sensitive techniques to diverse protective materials. Understanding glove–surface interactions can inform improvements in glove formulations and contamination mitigation strategies across industries.

Conclusion

Disposable gloves contain various additives and residual chemicals that can migrate to glove surfaces or transfer onto other materials. XPS analysis provided detailed insights into the elemental and chemical-state composition of glove surfaces, the effects of solvent exposure, and the potential for contamination transfer. Adopting appropriate handling practices and using analytical tools like XPS can ensure surface cleanliness and reliable analytical results.

References

Strohmeier BR. XPS Surface Characterization of Disposable Laboratory Gloves and Transfer of Glove Components. Application Note 52287, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2012.