MOLECULAR-TRANSPORT OF ALCOHOLS THROUGH ENGINEERING POLYMER MEMBRANES

Sorption and diffusion of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1 -butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-pentanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol into three engineering polymer membranes have been studied in the temperatu re interval of 25-60 degrees C. The results have been analyzed in term s of the Fickian diffusion equation. The anomalous transport behaviour of the rubber-alcohol systems is attributed to a leaching out of the polymer additives during solvent immersion. The transport coefficients and activation parameters have been discussed in terms of the polymer -solvent interactions in addition to their effect on the size and shap e of the penetrant molecules