Solute diffusion in swollen membranes VII. Diffusion in semicrystalline networks

A model is developed to express the solute diffusion coefficient through semicrystalline polymeric networks. The crystallites create impermeable diffusional barriers around the amorphous regions. Solute diffusion is determined by applying a transport model to the amorphous phase and incorporating the crosslinked polymer structure characteristics. This model is tested with theophylline and vitamin B₁₂ permeation experiments through semicrystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes prepared by annealing of amorphous PVA membranes. The degree of crystallinity varies between 23.1 % and 40.5 % on a dry basis. The solute diffusion coefficients correlate well with various parameters of the model.