Sorption and transport of hydrocarbon and perfluorocarbon gases in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne)

Pure gas solubility and permeability of H₂, O₂, N₂, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, CF₄, C₂F₆, and C₃F₈ in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) were determined as a function of pressure at 35°C. Permeability coefficients of the perfluorinated penetrants are approximately an order of magnitude lower than those of their hydrocarbon analogs, and lower even than those of the permanent gases. In striking contrast to hydrocarbon penetrants, PTMSP permeability to fluorocarbon penetrants decreases with increasing penetrant size. This unusual size‐sieving behavior in PTMSP is attributed to low perfluorocarbon solubilities in PTMSP coupled with low diffusion coefficients relative to those of their hydrocarbon analogs. In general, perfluorocarbon penetrants are less soluble than their hydrocarbon analogs in PTMSP. The difference in hydrocarbon and perfluorocarbon solubilities in high free volume, hydrocarbon‐rich PTMSP is much smaller than in hydrocarbon liquids and liquidlike polydimethylsiloxane. The low solubility of perfluorocarbon penetrants is ascribed to the large size of the fluorocarbons, which inhibits their dissolution into the densified regions of the polymer matrix and reduces the number of penetrant molecules that can be accommodated in Langmuir sites. From the permeability and sorption data, diffusion coefficients were calculated as a function of penetrant concentration. With the exception of H₂ and the C₃ analogs, all of the penetrants exhibit a maximum in their concentration‐dependent diffusion coefficients. Resolution of diffusion coefficients into a mobility factor and a thermodynamic factor reveals that it is the interplay between these two terms that causes the maxima. The mobility of the smaller penetrants (H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄, and CO₂) decreases monotonically with increasing penetrant concentration, suggesting that the net free volume of the polymer–penetrant mixture decreases as additional penetrant is added to PTMSP. For larger penetrants mobility either: (1) remains constant at low concentrations and then decreases at higher penetrant concentrations (C₂H₆, CF₄, and C₂F₆); (2) remains constant for all concentrations examined (C₃H₈); or (3) increases monotonically with increasing penetrant concentration (C₃F₈). Presumably these results reflect the varying effects of these penetrants on the net free volume of the polymer–penetrant system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 273–296, 2000     

Permeation,diffusion, and solution of cyclopropane in silicone rubber

Permeability, solubility, and diffusion coefficients have been determined for cyclopropane (c-C₃H₆) in silicone rubber at temperatures between ?8 and 70°C at relative pressures from 0.04 to 0.30. The permeability coefficients, , are of the order of 10^?6 cm³ (STP) · cm/(s · cm² · cmHg). increases slightly with increasing penetrant pressure and decreases with increasing temperature, the energy of activation for permeation being ?1.27 kcal/gmol at zero pressure. The solubility of cyclopropane in silicone rubber can be represented over the experimental concentration range by the Flory-Huggins equation. The solubility decreases with increasing temperature and the partial molar heat of solution is ?4.95 kcal/gmol. The solubility coefficient in the Henry's law limit, S(0), for cyclopropane and many other gases and vapors can be correlated with (T_c/T)², where T and T_c are the experimental and critical temperatures, respectively. The mutual diffusion coefficients, D, increase with increasing concentration and temperature, the energy of activation for diffusion being 3.68 kcal/gmol. The pressure dependence of &\[\bar P\] is described satisfactorily by a free-volume model proposed by Fujita and extended by Stern, Frisch, and coworkers. The permeability, diffusion, and solubility behavior of cyclopropane in silicone rubber is similar to that of propane (C₃H₈).     

The diffusion of CO2, CH4, C2H4, and C3H8 in polyethylene at elevated pressures

Diffusion and solubility coefficients have been determined for the CO₂^?, CH₄^?, C₂H₄^?, and C₃H₈-polyethylene systems at temperatures of 5, 20, and 35°C and at gas pressures up to 40 atm. Diffusion coefficients were obtained from rates of gas absorption in polyethylene rods under isothermal-isobaric conditions by means of a new diffusivity apparatus. The concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficients was represented satisfactorily by Fujita's free-volume model, modified for semicrystalline polymers, while the solubility of all the penetrants in polyethylene was within the limit of Henry's law. Semiempirical correlations were found for the free-volume parameters in terms of physicochemical properties of the penetrant gases and the penetrant-polymer systems. These correlations, if confirmed, should permit the prediction of diffusion and permeability coefficients of other gases and of gas mixtures in polyethylene as functions of pressure and temperature.     

Gas sorption,diffusion, and permeation in poly(dimethylsiloxane)

The permeability of poly(dimethylsiloxane) [PDMS] to H₂, O₂, N₂, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, CF₄, C₂F₆, and C₃F₈, and solubility of these penetrants were determined as a function of pressure at 35 °C. Permeability coefficients of perfluorinated penetrants (CF₄, C₂F₆, and C₃F₈) are approximately an order of magnitude lower than those of their hydrocarbon analogs (CH₄, C₂H₆, and C₃H₈), and the perfluorocarbon permeabilities are significantly lower than even permanent gas permeability coefficients. This result is ascribed to very low perfluorocarbon solubilities in hydrocarbon‐based PDMS coupled with low diffusion coefficients relative to those of their hydrocarbon analogs. The perfluorocarbons are sparingly soluble in PDMS and exhibit linear sorption isotherms. The Flory–Huggins interaction parameters for perfluorocarbon penetrants are substantially greater than those of their hydrocarbon analogs, indicating less favorable energetics of mixing perfluorocarbons with PDMS. Based on the sorption results and conventional lattice solution theory with a coordination number of 10, the formation of a single C₃F₈/PDMS segment pair requires 460 J/mol more energy than the formation of a C₃H₈/PDMS pair. A breakdown in the geometric mean approximation of the interaction energy between fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons was observed. These results are consistent with the solubility behavior of hydrocarbon–fluorocarbon liquid mixtures and hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon gas solubility in hydrocarbon liquids. From the permeability and sorption data, diffusion coefficients were determined as a function of penetrant concentration. Perfluorocarbon diffusion coefficients are lower than those of their hydrocarbon analogs, consistent with the larger size of the fluorocarbons. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 415–434, 2000     

Anisotropy of NMR relaxation,and diffusion,of penetrants in stretched cis-polyisoprene

We have measured ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR relaxation times T₁, T_1ρ, and T₂, and diffusion constants, in trace penetrants hexafluorobenzene and n-hexadecane dissolved in stretched cis-polyisoprene, as function of temperature, rubber elongation, and angle with respect to the stretch direction. Values of T₁ and T₂ in the rubber were also measured. At all temperatures (—40 ≤ T ≤ 85°C), T₁ in rubber and penetrants is isotropic and independent of elongation; the differences between rubber and penetrants are related to penetrant diffusion. All T₂ above—15°C are anisotropic and elongation dependent, and follow a motional narrowing model. For the penetrants, averaging the dipolar interactions implies averaging over a diffusion path; this correctly reproduces the observed much higher T₂ anisotropy in the penetrants. Penetrant diffusion rates, however, are essentially isotropic and elongation independent. These effects depend only weakly on the shape of the penetrant molecules.     

Transient permeation of organic vapors through elastomeric membranes

The permeation of benzene and acetone vapors through sulfur-cured natural rubber was studied by the time-lag method. The experimental results were analyzed by a method suggested by Meares. The zero concentration diffusion coefficient D₀ was obtained by the early-time method. The Frisch time-lag equation was utilized to estimate both the solubility coefficient s and the additional parameter b required to define the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient: D(c) = D₀ exp {bc}. This form of concentration dependence was manifested by the corresponding permeability coefficient values. At low entering penetrant pressure, where the transport coefficients are constant, indirect evidence was obtained that D₀ is the mechanistically correct diffusion coefficient. The solubility coefficient values calculated for benzene vapor in natural rubber are in reasonable agreement with published equilibrium sorption data for a similar rubber compound. At higher entering penetrant pressures, average diffusion coefficients obtained at steady state tended to be larger than the corresponding average diffusion coefficients derived from the time lags. This same effect has been detected by other experimental approaches. Permeation experiments designed for this rapid method of analysis appear capable of yielding information consistent with that obtained by more time-consuming traditional methods.     

Solubility,diffusivity, and mobility of n-pentane and ethanol in poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

The diffusion coefficient of ethanol and of n-pentane in PTMSP, at 27°C, was measured as a function of concentration up to a penetrant content of about 12% by weight, for polymer samples obtained through different processes; differential sorptions and desorptions with vapor phases were considered. In the case of ethanol a nonmonotonous behavior was observed for the diffusivity, while in the case of n-pentane the same property was found to monotonously decrease with increasing the penetrant content. The sorption isotherms were also reported, indicating that n-pentane exhibits a typical dual mode behavior, while ethanol follows an unusual s-shape curve. The chemical potential of the dissolved penetrants, calculated directly from the isotherms, shows the very different importance of the energetic interactions of the two penetrants with the polymer units. In spite of the remarkably different concentration dependencies observed for both solubility and diffusivity of the two penetrants, the mobility factors are in both cases monotonously decreasing with the penetrant concentration, and follow very similar trends. The significant differences observed for the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficients are, thus, associated to the thermodynamic contributions, which are very different for n-pentane and ethanol. Different polymeric films, obtained through different solvent evaporation processes, show quite different solubility, diffusivity and mobility for both ethanol and n-pentane. On the other hand, the ratio between the mobility of the two penetrants as well as the slope of mobility as function of the concentration remains the same for all the different samples inspected. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 2245–2258, 1997     

Sorption,diffusion, and permeation of ethylbenzene in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne)

The solubility, diffusivity, and permeability of ethylbenzene in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) at 35, 45 and 55 °C were determined using kinetic gravimetric sorption and pure gas permeation methods. Ethylbenzene solubility in PTMSP was well described by the generalized dual‐mode model with χ = 0.39 ± 0.02, b = 15 ± 1, and C^′_H = 45 ± 4 cm³ (STP)/cm³ PTMSP at 35 °C. Ethylbenzene solubility increased with decreasing temperature; the enthalpy of sorption at infinite dilution was −40 ± 7 kJ/mol and was essentially equal to the enthalpy change upon condensation of pure ethylbenzene. The diffusion coefficient of ethylbenzene in PTMSP decreased with increasing concentration and decreasing temperature. Activation energies of diffusion were very low at infinite dilution and increased with increasing concentration to a maximum value of 50 ± 10 kJ/mol at the highest concentration explored. PTMSP permeability to ethylbenzene decreased with increasing concentration. The permeability estimated from solubility and diffusivity data obtained by kinetic gravimetric sorption was in good agreement with permeability determined from direct permeation experiments. Permeability after exposure to a high ethylbenzene partial pressure was significantly higher than that observed before the sample was exposed to a higher partial pressure of ethylbenzene. Nitrogen permeability coefficients were also determined from pure gas experiments. Nitrogen and ethylbenzene permeability coefficients increased with decreasing temperature, and infinite dilution activation energies of permeation for N₂ and ethylbenzene were −5.5 ± 0.5 kJ/mol and −74 ± 11 kJ/mol, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1078–1089, 2000     

Permeability of pure and mixed gases in silicone rubber at elevated pressures

The transport properties of silicone rubber are reported at 35°C for a series of pure gases (He, N₂, CH₄, CO₂, and C₂H₄) and gas mixtures (CO₂/CH₄ and N₂/CO₂) for pressures up to 60 atm. The effects of pressure and concentration on the permeability of various gases have been analyzed to consider plasticization and hydrostatic compression effects. Over an extended pressure and concentration range, both compression of free volume and eventual plasticization phenomena were observed for the various penetrants. In pure component studies, plasticization effects tended to dominate hydrostatic compression effects for the more condensible penetrants (C₂H₄ and CO₂) while the reverse was true for the low sorbing N₂ and He. These issues are discussed in terms of penetrant diffusion coefficients versus pressure to clarify the interplay between the opposing effects for the penetrants of markedly different solubilities. Additional insight into the somewhat complex interplay of the plasticization and hydrostatic compression effects are given by mixed gas permeation results. It was found that the permeability of nitrogen in a 10/90 CO₂/N₂ and a 50/50 CO₂/N₂ mixture was increased by the presence of CO₂ because the plasticizing nature of CO₂ is able to overcome nitrogen's compression effect.     

Hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon solubility and dilation in poly(dimethylsiloxane): Comparison of experimental data with predictions of the Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state

Sorption and dilation isotherms are reported for a series of gases (N₂, O₂, CO₂), hydrocarbon vapors (CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈), and their fluorocarbon analogs (CF₄, C₂F₆, C₃F₈) in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) at 35°C and pressures up to 27 atmospheres. The hydrocarbons are significantly more soluble in hydrocarbon-based PDMS than their fluorocarbon analogs. Infinite dilution partial molar volumes of both hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons in PDMS were similar to their partial molar volumes in other hydrocarbon polymers and in organic liquids. Except for C₂H₆ and C₃H₈, partial molar volume was independent of penetrant concentration. For these penetrants, partial molar volume increased with increasing concentration. The Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state is used to predict gas solubility and polymer dilation. If the Sanchez–Lacombe model is used with no adjustable parameters, solubility is always overpredicted. The extent of overprediction is more substantial for fluorocarbon penetrants than for hydrocarbons. Very good fits of the model to the experimental sorption and dilation data are obtained when the mixture interaction parameter is treated as an adjustable parameter. For the hydrocarbons, the interaction parameter is approximately 0.96, and for the fluorocarbons, it is approximately 0.87. These values suggest less favorable interactions between the hydrocarbon-based PDMS matrix and the fluorocarbon penetrants than between PDMS and hydrocarbons. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 3011–3026, 1999     

Kinetics and equilibria of sulfur dioxide sorption in kapton polyimide

The kinetics and equilibria of SO₂ sorption in Kapton polyimide film have been measured at 25°C for pressures up to 58 cm Hg using a quartz spring balance. The observed equilibria are described well by the dual-mode model for sorption of penetrants in glassy polymers. Observed hysteresis in sorption-desorption cycling indicates that the diffusivity of SO₂ increases markedly with increasing local penetrant concentration in the polymer. The concentration dependence of the effective average diffusion coefficient is described well by an expression from dual-mode theory. The Langmuir component of the sorption population has an extremely low mobility compared to that of the Henry's law component; in fact, the so-called “total immobilization” limiting case, which assigns a zero diffusion coefficient to this component, appears to be satisfactory under the conditions studied. These results, coupled with published results for other penetrants, suggest that the degree of immobilization of the Langmuir population depends to a great extent on the condensability and/or the molecular size of the penetrant. Predictions of the SO₂ diffusion time lag and permeability in Kapton as functions of the upstream SO₂ pressure are presented and discussed in terms of the dual-mode theory.     

Diffusion of gaseous fluoromethanes in air

A simple uniform-pressure diffusion apparatus has been used to measure the diffusivities of the gaseous fluorocarbons CF₄ and CF₂Cl₂ in air at atmospheric pressure and room temperature (293 K). The diffusion coefficients are found to be D(CF₄—air) = 0.121 cm²s^?1 and D(CF₂Cl₂—air) = 0.098 cm²s^?1. The observed diffusion flux ratios are in agreement with Graham's diffusion law.     

Ethylbenzene solubility,diffusivity, and permeability in poly(dimethylsiloxane)

The pure‐gas sorption, diffusion, and permeation properties of ethylbenzene in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) are reported at 35, 45, and 55 °C and at pressures ranging from 0 to 4.4 cmHg. Additionally, mixed‐gas ethylbenzene/N₂ permeability properties at 35 °C, a total feed pressure of 10 atm, and a permeate pressure of 1 atm are reported. Ethylbenzene solubility increases with increasing penetrant relative pressure and can be described by the Flory–Rehner model with an interaction parameter of 0.24 ± 0.02. At a fixed relative pressure, ethylbenzene solubility decreases with increasing temperature, and the enthalpy of sorption is −41.4 ± 0.3 kJ/mol, which is independent of ethylbenzene concentration and essentially equal to the enthalpy of condensation of pure ethylbenzene. Ethylbenzene diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing concentration at 35 °C. The activation energy of ethylbenzene diffusion in PDMS at infinite dilution is 49 ± 6 kJ/mol. The ethylbenzene activation energies of permeation decrease from near 0 to −34 ± 7 kJ/mol as concentration increases, whereas the activation energy of permeation for pure N₂ is 8 ± 2 kJ/mol. At 35 °C, ethylbenzene and N₂ permeability coefficients determined from pure‐gas permeation experiments are similar to those obtained from mixed‐gas permeation experiments, and ethylbenzene/N₂ selectivity values as high as 800 were observed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1461–1473, 2000     

Measurement of the infinite dilution diffusion coefficients of small molecule solvents in silicone rubber by inverse gas chromatography

The infinite dilution diffusion coefficients of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-decane in crosslinked silicone rubber with different crosslinking agent concentrations were measured in the temperature range of 348.15 K-368.15 K by inverse gas chromatography. The crosslinked silicone rubber was obtained by dissolving PDMS prepolymer, crosslinking agent and catalyst in n-heptane solvent and characterized by FTIR spectra. The Van Deemter equation was used to determine diffusion coefficients from the variation in chromatographic peak width with carrier gas flow rate. The good linear relation indicated the Van Deemter equation used in this work was reliable. The influences of small molecule solvent, crosslinking agent concentration and temperature on the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient were investigated. The results showed that the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient decreased with an increasing number of CH₂ group in the alkane series. The increase in crosslinking agent concentration resulted in decrease of the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient. The infinite dilution diffusion coefficient increased with the rising of temperature. The interdependence on the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient and temperature accorded with Arrhenius equation well. Diffusion constant and activation energy obtained from the Arrhenius equation provided straight lines with the specific critical volume and crosslinking agent concentration.     

Diffusivity of gases and main-chain cooperative motions in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Permeability and time-lag measurements for H₂ and CO in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticized with tricresyl phosphate show that the apparent diffusion coefficients at first decrease as the plas-ticizer concentration is increased. The diffusion coefficients then increase as the additive concentration is raised above 15 wt %. These changes in the apparent diffusion coefficients can be related to the behavior of a variety of mechanical properties and are attributed to antiplasticization and plasticization effects of low and high concentrations of tricresyl phosphate, respectively. The antiplasticization-plasticization effects reflect altered molecular motions of the polymer. Carbon-13 NMR rotating-frame relaxation rate measurements show directly that the cooperative main-chain molecular motions of PVC are reduced when the additive acts as an antiplasticizer and are increased when the polymer is plasticized. Both the apparent diffusion coefficient and the rotating-frame relaxation rate have a similar dependence on additive concentration. An application of the molecular theory of diffusion of Pace and Datyner accounts qualitatively for the way in which additives alter the average chain interaction energy, cooperative polymer main-chain motions, and the diffusion coefficients of gaseous penetrants.     

Transport of organic vapors and liquids in poly(vinyl chloride)

This paper reviews research since 1980 on the equilibria and kinetics of transport of small organic molecules in rigid and plasticized PVC. The forms of both the solubility isotherms and the sorption kinetics are shown to change as the PVC/penetrant system undergoes a glass-rubber transition with an increase of either temperature or penetrant concentration. The isotherms are of “dual-mode” form (concave to the activity axis) for the glassy state, and show an inflection to Flory-Huggins form when the penetrant concentration exceeds C_g, the transition composition at the experimental temperature. The solubility at a given penetrant activity is governed primarily by the PVC/penetrant interaction parameter, χ. Sorption kinetics are Fickian for conditions producing small changes of concentration in either the glassy or rubbery state. For sorption into initially unplasticized PVC, kinetics are anomalous if the final penetrant concentration is between about C_g/2 and C_g, and Case II if C_g is exceeded. The magnitude of the Fickian diffusion coefficients depends largely on the geometric factors of molecular size and shape of the penetrant; this dependence is much steeper in the glassy than in the rubbery state. Recent results show that carbon dioxide displays both high diffusivity and substantial solubility in PVC under high pressure; this combination makes compressed CO₂ uniquely useful in accelerating the absorption of low-molecular-weight additives into PVC.     

Gas‐transport properties in crosslinked polymers. I. Aliphatic polyurethane–acrylate‐based adhesives

The gas‐transport properties of one of a family of well‐known adhesives, Loctite 350^®, were studied. Permeability, solubility, and diffusivity coefficients, together with the activation energies of diffusion and permeation and the solution enthalpy, were determined from 20 to 40 °C for oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. Loctite 350^® showed relatively high permselectivity and permeability for the gas pairs O₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄, especially for the former. The possibility of preparing very thin layers on various kinds of supports from these photocurable polymers makes them promising materials for gas‐separation devices. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 786–795, 2001     

Sorption and transport of linear alkane hydrocarbons in biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate

Equilibrium sorption and uptake kinetics of n‐butane and n‐pentane in uniform, biaxially oriented, semicrystalline polyethylene terephthalate films were examined at 35 °C and for pressures ranging from 0 to approximately 76 cmHg. Sorption isotherms were well described by the dual‐mode sorption model. Sorption kinetics were described either by Fickian diffusion or a two‐stage model incorporating Fickian diffusion at short times and protracted polymer structural relaxation at long times. Diffusion coefficients increased with increasing penetrant concentration. n‐Butane solubility was lower than that of n‐pentane, consistent with the more condensable nature of n‐pentane. However, n‐butane diffusion coefficients were higher than those of n‐pentane. Infinite‐dilution, estimated amorphous phase diffusion and solubility coefficients were well correlated with penetrant critical volume and critical temperature, respectively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 1160–1172, 2001     

Solubility and transport of water vapor in some 6FDA-based polyimides

Permeability, diffusion, and solubility coefficients for H₂O vapor in four different 6FDA-based polyimides were determined at temperatures between 25 and 45°C and over a wide range of relative humidities. The solubility of H₂O vapor in some of the polyimides studied can be described by the “dual-mode sorption” model whereas in other polyimides it is represented by the Flory-Huggins equation, which suggests that the latter polymers are plasticized by H₂O. The solubility of H₂O vapor in the polyimides decreases as the temperature is raised and increases with increasing polarity of the polymer. The diffusion coefficients for H₂O in the polyimides studied either increase or pass through a weak maximum with increasing H₂O activity, or concentration in the polymers. The latter behavior is probably due to a clustering of H₂O molecules in the polyimides at higher H₂O activities or concentrations. The diffusion coefficients for H₂O decrease as the chain-packing density of the polyimides increases. The permeability coefficients for H₂O vapor in 6FDA-based polyimide membranes either increase slightly or are constant as the H₂O activity is increased. The experimental values of the permeability coefficients are consistent with the values determined from diffusion and solubility coefficients. The permeability of the polyimides to H₂O vapor appears to be controlled by the solubility of H₂O in the polymers. The polyimides studied exhibit a very high selectivity for H₂O vapor relative to CH_4, and therefore are potentially useful membrane materials for the dehydration of natural gas. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure-permeability relationships in silicone polymers

Permeability coefficients P for He, O₂, N₂, CO₂ CH₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, and C₃H₈ in 12 different silicone polymer membranes were determined at 35.0°C and pressures up to 9 atm. Values of P for CO₂, CH₄, and C₃H₈ were also determined at 10.0 and 55.0°C. In addition, mean diffusion coefficients D and solubility coefficients S were obtained for CO₂, CH₄, and C₃H₈ in 6 silicone polymers at 10.0, 35.0, and 55.0°C. Substitution of increasingly bulkier functional groups in the side and backbone chains of silicone polymers results in a significant decrease in P for a given penetrant gas. This is due mainly to a decrease in D , whereas S decreases to a much lesser extent. Backbone substitutions appear to have a somewhat lesser effect in depressing P than equivalent side-chain substitutions. The selectivity of a silicone membrane for a gas A relative to a gas B, i.e., the permeability ratio P (A)/P (B), may increase or decrease as a result of such substitutions, but only if the substituted groups are sufficiently bulky. The selectivity of the more highly permeable silicone membranes is controlled by the ratio S (A)/S (B), whereas the selectivity of the less permeable membranes depends on both the ratios D (A)/D (B) and S(A)/S(B). The permeability as well as the selectivity of one silicone membrane toward CO₂ were significantly enhanced by the substitution of a fluorine-containing side group that increased the solubility of CO₂ in that polymer.