Magnetic mixed matrix membranes in air separation

Ethylcellulose (EC) or linear polyimide (LPI) and magnetic neodymium powder particles MQP-14-12 were used for the preparation of inorganic-organic hybrid membranes. For all the membranes, N₂, O₂ and air permeability were examined. Mass transport coefficients were determined using the Time Lag System based on dynamic experiments in a constant pressure system. The results showed that the membrane permeation properties were improved by the addition of magnetic neodymium particles to the polymer matrix. The magnetic ethylcellulose and polyimide membranes exhibited higher gas permeability and diffusivity, while their permeability selectivity and solubility were either unchanged or slightly increased. Polyimide mixed matrix membranes were characterised by a higher thermal and mechanical stability, larger filler loading, better magnetic properties and reasonable selectivity in the air separation.     

Hyperbolic diffusion in chaotic systems

We consider a deterministic process described by a discrete one-dimensional chaotic map and study its diffusive-like properties. Starting with the corresponding Frobenius-Perron equation we derive an approximate evolution equation for the probability distribution which is a partial differential equation of a hyperbolic type. Consequently, the process is correlated, non-Markovian, non-Gaussian and the information propagates with a finite velocity. This is in clear contrast to conventional diffusion processes described by a standard parabolic diffusion equation with an infinite velocity of information propagation. Our approach allows for a more complete characterisation of diffusion dynamics of deterministic systems.     

On the diffusion-driven growth: The perturbed sphere problem revisited

A growth process driven by stationary diffusion field is considered to be a consequence of the mass conservation law. A correct expression for the growth velocity is derived and applied to a specific model of the perturbed sphere. It is studied in the linear regime, for which all corrections are consequently taken into account and graphically demonstrated. A critical discussion and confrontation with some statements in the literature is carried out.The work was supported in part by the Committee of Scientific Research. The authors are indebted to the referee for remarks which allowed them to improve the presentation.     

Entropic effects in diffusion-adsorption processes in micropores

We analyze the kinetics of diffusion-adsorption processes of one component systems in micropores. In realistic situations, the pores exhibit irregular forms which give rise to inhomogeneous adsorption with preferred sites for the adsorbing particles. By modeling the tortuosity of the pores by means of entropic barriers, we obtain a kinetic equation for the averaged concentration of particles along the pore and on its surface. The analysis performed yields expressions for the adsorption rate, the effective diffusion coeffcient, the adsorption isotherms and the concentration of the adsorbed particles. It is shown that this last quantity strongly depends on the form of the pore. This feature opens the possibility to design micropores with an optimal adsorption rate at selected sites. Our results show that to consider the geometry of the pore in the reaction-diffusion scheme is crucial to reproduce experimental observations of the concentration of adsorbed particles in micropores.     

On the permeation time lag for different transport equations by Frisch method

A constructive application of Frisch method for deriving permeation time lags for different transport equations is shown. Two main classes, i.e. parabolic and hyperbolic diffusional mass transport equations, are presented and compared. An influence of drift and chemical reaction terms on the time lag is discussed.     

Effect of immobilizing adsorption on mass transport through polymer films

The Freundlich isotherm used in place of the Langmuir isotherm to describe the adsorption mode in the dual sorption theory of glassy polymer—gas systems. Time-lag expressions have been derived and compared with the available corresponding results for the Langmuir case. In the case of large and moderate values of the upstream boundary activity a₀, the value of the time-lag function L^a)(l) calculated with the proposed model is close to that calculated by Paul for the Langmuir isotherm. In the case of small values of a₀, the L^a(l) values predicted by Paul and the proposed model are different and the difference increases when the value of a₀ decreases. The ability of the present model to represent systems exhibiting positive deviations from Henry's law is also described.