Explorative Image Analysis of Methylene Blue Interactions with Gelatin in Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabric Membranes: A Potential Future Tool for the Characterization of the Diffusion Process

This manuscript explores the interaction between methylene blue dye and gelatin within a membrane using spectroscopy and image analysis. Emphasis is placed on methylene blue’s unique properties, specifically its ability to oscillate between two distinct resonance states, each with unique light absorption characteristics. Image analysis serves as a tool for examining dye diffusion and absorption. The results indicate a correlation between dye concentrations and membrane thickness. Thinner layers exhibit a consistent dye concentration, implying an even distribution of the dye during the diffusion process. However, thicker layers display varying concentrations at different edges, suggesting the establishment of a diffusion gradient. Moreover, the authors observe an increased concentration of gelatin at the peripheries rather than at the center, possibly due to the swelling of the dried sample and a potential water concentration gradient. The manuscript concludes by suggesting image analysis as a practical alternative to spectral analysis, particularly for detecting whether methylene blue has been adsorbed onto the macromolecular network. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of the complex interactions between methylene blue and gelatin in a membrane and lay a solid foundation for future research in this field.