SORPTION OF BENZENE, TOLUENE AND CHLOROFORM BY POLY(STYRENE) AT 298.15 K AND 323.15 K USING A QUARTZ-CRYSTAL BALANCE

An isopiestic apparatus using the quartz crystal balance principle has been constructed for vapor sorption measurements on polymers. Isother mal solubilities of benzene, toluene and chloroform in poly(styrene) w ere measured in the concentrated polymer regime. Benzene results were obtained at 323.15 K, Toluene and chloroform results were obtained at 298.15 K and at 323.15 K. Solvent activities were represented with a m odified Flory-Huggins activity model and compared with available liter ature data with favorable results. Comparisons were also made with pre dictions of three free volume activity models described in the literat ure. Details of the applicability and reliability of the quartz crysta l balance for these sorption measurements are considered and discussed . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.