Sorption and diffusion of water vapor in polyimide films

Sorption and diffusion of water vapor are investigated gravimetrically for polyimide films. The activity dependence of the solubility and diffusion coefficients, S and D, respectively, is classified under four types: (1) constant S and D type, (2) dual-mode sorption and transport type, (3) dual-mode type followed by a deviation due to a plasticization effect at high vapor activity, and (4) constant S and D type followed by a deviation due to water cluster formation at high activity. For the dual-mode type, the Henry's law component is much larger than the Langmuir component except at low activity, and therefore deviation in behavior from the first type is small. S is larger for polyimides with higher content of polar groups such as carbonyl, carboxyl, and sulfonyl. D is larger for polyimides with a higher fraction of free space, with some exceptions. The polyimide from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and dimethyl-3,7-diaminodibenzothiophene-5, 5-dioxide belongs to the third type and displays both large S and large D. The polyimide from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline belongs to the fourth type, and has the largest D but rather small S because of the hydrophobic C(CF₃)₂ groups. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sorption and transport of water in nylon-6 films

Sorption and transport properties of water through films of Nylon-6 were obtained at 5, 23, and 40°C. Commercially available films were used and a Cahn electrobalance was employed for measuring the water uptake by the polymer samples. Values of the water sorption isotherms are accurately described by the Langmuir/Flory-Huggins dual-mode sorption model. At water activity values below 0.15, the volume fraction of water described by the Langmuir portion of the model was greater than the Flory-Huggins population. Solubility and diffusion coefficients of water, as well as the diffusion activation energy and enthalpy of dissolution of water for Nylon-6, were determined from the sorption experiments. Values obtained support the hypothesis of a bimodal water sorption mode, and the formation of water clusters. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

水蒸气在高分子膜中吸附和传递行为的研究进展

水蒸气作为一种可凝聚性气体,导致它在高分子膜中的渗透行为比其它非凝聚性气体复杂。简要综述了水蒸气分子在高分子膜中的溶解和扩散行为,在不同的水蒸气活度下,考察了水蒸气在高分子膜中的溶解系数、扩散系数和渗透系数。分析了水分子与膜之间的相互作用,及水分子的成簇机理。     

肌红蛋白在海藻酸钠水凝胶中的电化学和电催化特性

海藻酸钠(Sodium Alginate,SA)是由L-葡萄糖醛酸与D-甘露糖醛酸组成的高分子线性糖醛酸,常作为固定化酶包埋材料。本文研究了海藻酸钠水凝胶膜中的肌红蛋白在磷酸盐缓冲溶液中的直接电化学和酶催化性质,探讨了测定H2O2和NO2^-的可能性。     

Free volume and water vapor transport properties of temperature‐sensitive polyurethanes

Segmented polyurethanes (PU) with crystalline soft segments were prepared with different crystalline polyols as soft segments. Morphology and microstructure of the PUs were investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Wide‐angle X‐ray Diffraction (WAXD), and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectra (PALS). Water vapor transport properties of the PU membranes were measured in the temperature range of crystal melting of their soft segments. Dependence of free volume of the PUs on temperature and the relationship between the free volume and water vapor permeability of the PU membranes were investigated. The results show that the mean free volume size and fractional free volume increase more rapidly in the temperature range of crystal melting than in other temperature intervals. In the specified temperature range, water vapor permeability of the polyester based PU membranes increases significantly, caused by the steep increase in free volume, due to crystal melting of the soft segments. Water vapor permeability of the polyester based PUs exhibits approximately direct correlation with the fractional free volume within the temperature range of crystal melting. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1865–1872, 2005     

Evolution of water vapor from indium-tin-oxide thin films fabricated by various deposition processes

Tin-doped In₂O₃ (indium-tin-oxide) transparent conducting films are widely used as electrodes of liquid crystal displays and low-E windows. In the present study, a systematic TDS study was undertaken for ITO films fabricated by various deposition processes; such as PVD, dip coating and spray deposition. Water vapor was the main gas evolved from the films; gas evolution from the silicon substrate was negligible. The evolution proceeded via two steps at approximately 373 and 473-623 K. The amount of the evolved water was in the order: (dip-coated film)>(PVD films)> (spray-deposited film). This order was identical to that of the film's resistivities. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and in vitro behavior of iron-crosslinked N-methyl and N-benzyl hydroxamated derivatives of alginic acid as controlled release carriers

N-methyl and N-benzyl hydroxylamines were synthetically conjugated to alginic acid to produce hydroxamated derivatives with different degrees of substitution. The new polymeric materials were used to form coordinate complexes with iron(III). The hydroxamated derivatives as well as their iron complexes were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.Phenobarbitone-loaded and blank beads were prepared utilizing the new iron-crosslinked hydroxamated polymers and evaluated with respect to their ability to control drug release, as well as their iron leaching properties.The iron-crosslinked polymeric composites proved capable of encapsulating the model drug and sustaining its release in the dissolution media, the release profiles were sensitive to the type and degree of substitution.     

Permeation of nitrogen and water vapor through sulfonated polyetherethersulfone membrane

The novel polyetherethersulfone (PES-C) prepared from phenol-phthalein in our institute is an amorphous, rigid, tough material with good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. To improve its water vapor permeability for the application of gas drying, the PES-C was sulfonated with concentrated sulfuric acid and transferred in sodium, cupric, and ferric salt forms. The sulfonation degree can be regulated by controlling the temperature and reaction time. Characterization of sulfonated PES-C in sodium form was made by IR. Some properties of the sulfonated PES-C, such as solubility, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and transport properties to nitrogen and water vapor have also been discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 2133–2140, 1997     

Preparation and characterization of hybrid cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose/sodium alginate polyelectrolyte antimicrobial films

This study aimed to develop polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials that do not contain any antimicrobial agents. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose was synthesized and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Its nitrogen content was determined by Kjeldahl method. Polyelectrolyte‐structured antimicrobial food packaging materials were prepared using hydroxyethyl cellulose, cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose, and sodium alginate. Antimicrobial activity of materials was defined by inhibition zone method (disc diffusion method). Thermal stability of samples was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Surface morphology of samples was investigated by SEM. The obtained results prove that produced food packaging materials have good thermal and antimicrobial properties, and they can be used as food packaging material in many industries.     

Sodium sulfate solubilities in high temperature aqueous sodium chloride and sulfuric acid solutions—predictions of solubility,vapor pressure,acidity, and speciation

Experimental measurements of the solubility of sodium sulfate in aqueous solutions containing both sodium chloride and sulfuric acid in the temperature range 250 to 374°C are reported. These measurements have been combined with previous data on the solubility of sodium sulfate in water, in aqueous sodium chloride, and in sulfuric acid solutions to produce a comprehensive model describing the solubility of sodium sulfate in such solutions. Calculations and predictions of solubility, vapor pressure, boiling point elevation, acidity, and speciation are presented. This model is of fundamental interest in itself and also is of importance because the precipitation of sodium sulfate may be a contributing factor in enhancing crevice corrosion in metals exposed to high-temperature water containing chloride and sulfate ions as impurities.     

Breakthrough in the preparation of irradiated sodium alginate/polyethylene oxide blend films using methacrylate monomer

The present work is an attempt to prepare biodegradable films of sodium alginate (SA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend tailored by methacrylate (MA) and γ irradiation following casting method. The effects of SA/PEO composition, glycerol as a plasticizer, methacrylate as a monomer, and radiation dose were investigated and it was found that the mechanical properties of the films strongly depend on the film-forming parameters. The incorporation of glycerol in the blend is crucial as it creates a suitable environment for monomer addition and points out that tensile strength of the films decreased, while the elongation at break increased. Moreover, it was found that the tensile properties were improved by the application of γ radiation as well as monomer treatment. The mechanical properties of the blend films integrated with MA monomer were higher than that without monomer at the analogous conditions. The structural and morphological features of the films were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.     

Influences of acid and heat treatments on the structure and water vapor adsorption property of natural zeolite

Natural zeolite was first acid treated and then heat treated. The influences of acid and heat treatments on the structure and water vapor adsorption property of natural zeolite were investigated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface areas were employed to investigate the structure changes of the zeolite samples. Water vapor adsorption property of the samples was investigated in order to determine wettability of the samples. The results showed that nitric acid treatment could remove Al from the structure, decrease relative crystallinity, and significantly increase specific surface area of the zeolite samples. Heat treatment could change or even destroy the structure, effectively remove water molecules from the surface/structure, and decrease the specific surface area of the zeolite samples. Water vapor adsorptions on the acid‐treated zeolite samples were significantly lower than that for the zeolite sample, and the adsorptions further reduced for the heat‐treated zeolite samples. The increase of Si/Al ratio, decreases of silanol groups, and specific surface area of the samples were major reasons related to the reductions of water vapor adsorptions on the zeolite samples.     

Sorption of water and organic solutes in polyimide films and its effects on dielectric properties

The effect of structure on the sorption kinetics of water and of various organic solutes into polyimide (PMDA-ODA) thin films was studied. The major techniques employed include measurements of sorption kinetics, density, and dielectric relaxation. More solute uptake, lower densities and higher diffusivities were observed for films cured at lower temperatures. By measuring both changes of mass and of density, the volume expansion of the polymer due to each solute was obtained; this was found to be proportional to the molar volume of the solute. The two dielectric relaxation peaks (denoted by γ₁ and γ₂) due to water (and other solutes) were studied in detail to obtain the relevant activation energies and the separate dipole moments. While water and methylene chloride appear in both γ₁ and γ₂ configurations, methyl and ethyl alcohol appear mainly as γ₂, while acetic acid is primarily γ₁. It was concluded that the γ₁ configurations are relatively homogeneously distributed throughout the polymer, involving loose bonding to the polymer structure, while the γ₂ configurations involve small clusters, probably chains of molecules. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Morphology,mechanical, and water transport properties of melt blended EVOH/PVOH films

Herein, we report for the first time the successful preparation of ethylene–vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) blends by a melt blending process for PVOH volume content ranging from 0 to 30%. Thermal stability up to 270 °C was maintained for all blends. The blends morphology consisted in spherical low size PVOH domains homogeneously dispersed in the EVOH matrix with good interfacial properties. An increase of the mean size of the PVOH domains (from 0.3 to 1.2 μm) and of the size distribution was evidenced as the PVOH content increased. The contribution of each phase to the water sorption and diffusion was clearly demonstrated. The impact of water uptake was investigated on the chains mobility by using Gordon–Taylor law and on the mechanical properties of the blends with respect to the reference polymers. It was pointed out that the reinforcing effect of PVOH phase decreased as the water activity increased. However, a significant elongation at break was maintained, underlining the major role played by the EVOH continuous phase at high water activity. Finally, it was shown that adding PVOH to EVOH up to 15 vol % allowed strengthening the material at low water activity and keeping interesting elongation at break and barrier properties at high water activity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 838–850     

The relative contribution of adsorption to the overall sorption and transport of small molecules in amber

In 1987, Berner and Landis reported that upon vacuum grinding of 80 million year old amber, a gas mixture was released which suggested an oxygen-rich prehistoric environment. Fundamental to their argument was the assumption that amber, an organic glass formed during the fossilization of tree sap, is a perfect sealant. Their assumption was challenged by three technical comments which collectively concluded that gases diffuse readily through amber. In order to defend their key assumption that gases are perfectly trapped in amber, Berner and Landis dismissed the data obtained through gravimetric sorption experiments as only a measure of surface adsorption rather than bulk absorption in and concomitant diffusion through the amber matrix. The validity of interpreting these gravimetric experiments as a measure of bulk diffusion is demonstrated by exploring the physical basis for interpreting gravimetric sorption data. Most importantly, new experimental gravimetric sorption data are presented which demonstrate an explicit separation of adsorption from diffusion-controlled absorption and also reveal that adsorption accounts for a very small fraction of the total sorption in amber.     

A study of molecular complex formation between propyl gallate and ascorbic acid in the microemulsion phase of sodium dodecyl sulfate, pentanol and water system

The association between two water-soluble antioxidants, i.e. ascorbic acid and propyl gallate have been studied by absorption spectroscopy in microemulsion formed in sodium dodecyl sulfate/pentanol/water micellar system. It has been shown that propyl gallate forms 1:1 molecular complex with ascorbic acid in every solution. Evolution of the absorption spectra during the study of molecular complex formation goes through well-defined isosbestic points. The association constants were calculated using curve-fitting procedure. The observed interactions are stronger in the less polar solvents.     

Solutions of alkali soaps and water in fatty acids IX. The location of theL 2-phase in three-component systems of sodium soap — fatty acid — water,in view of the occurrence of acid soaps

Previous studies of the occurrence of acid soaps in systems containing a longchain sodium soap and the corresponding fatty acid, and the study of phase equilibria in the system sodium octanoate — octanoic acid — water, performed by our group at the beginning of the 1960s, show that the isotropic liquidL ₂-phase of the last mentioned system in its whole region of existence is situated in that part in which acid soaps occur. This provides an explanation for the fact that theL ₂-phase itself contains acid sodium octanoates in all regions. TheL ₂-phase has its origin in the water-free melt of fatty acid and neutral soap in which these components react with each other under the formation of an acid soap. When water is added to the system, this water-free acid soap is transformed into different hydrated acid soaps. In a large region of concentration, there is an extremely close relation between theL ₂-phase and the liquid-crystalline lamellarD-phase, which itself consists of hydrated acid soaps. At its outermost water-rich tip, theL ₂-phase is in equilibrium with theL ₁-phase of the system, just above the+LAC, that is, with the most dilute aqueous soap solution in which acid soap still may be formed in aqueous environment. Formation of acid soap is a fundamental requirement for the existence of this isotropic liquidL ₂-phase.     

Synthesis,characterization and water absorbency properties of poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite

A novel poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization of acrylic acid using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator in the presence of sodium humate. The effects on water absorbency such as initial monomer concentration, degree of neutralization of acrylic acid, amount of crosslinker, initiator and sodium humate, etc. were investigated. The water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with a sodium humate content of 20% exhibited an absorption of 1268 g H₂O/g sample and 93 g H₂O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Swelling rate and water retention tests were also carried out. The results show that sodium humate, as a kind of functional filler, can enhance comprehensive properties of superabsorbent composite and reduce the product cost significantly. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.