Molecular transport of esters,aldehydes, aromatic liquids,and a ketone into fluoroelastomer membrane at 30, 40, and 50°C

Molecular transport of esters, aldehydes, substituted aromatic liquids, and a ketone through a fluoroelastomer (FC‐2120) membrane sample was studied at 30, 40, and 50°C. Sorption results were obtained by using a gravimetric method and concentration‐independent diffusion coefficients were calculated using Fick's diffusion equation. Permeability coefficients were calculated from sorption and diffusion data. Concentration profiles of the liquid penetrants were calculated by solving the Fick's equation under appropriate initial and boundary conditions and these plots are displayed to show the variations in liquid concentrations with reference to the nature of liquids chosen, membrane thickness, as well as the time of polymer immersion in the liquids. Arrhenius activation parameters were also estimated from a temperature dependence of diffusion and sorption coefficients. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 840–847, 2003