Abstract: | Results of a study on sorption and diffusion of chlorosulfonated polyethylene geomembrane with methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, methyl salicylate, iso-butyl salicylate, phenyl acetate, and diethyl phthalate in the temperature range 25–60°C are presented. A gravimetric sorption method is used to calculate the diffusion and permeation coefficients from the Fickian relationship. The diffusion results are dependent on penetrant–membrane interactions, temperature, and on penetrant concentration. The values of diffusion coefficients range from 0·02 × 10?7 cm2 s?1 for diethyl phthalate at 25°C to 1·81 × 10?7 cm2 s?1 for ethyl benzoate at 60°C. The activation energies for diffusion range from 21 to 50 kJ mol?1. The values of heat of sorption ranged between 2·2 and 6·4 kJ mol?1. Sorption results are also analyzed using a first-order sorption kinetic equation. Experimental results and calculated parameters are used to discuss the transport behavior. None of the esters used have shown any chemical attack toward the geomembrane. |