Statistical mechanical model of diffusion of complex penetrants in polymers. II. Applications

The theory of Part I is applied to the diffusion of several aromatic diffusants in two “smooth chained” polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and natural rubber. Modifications of the theory necessary to accommodate vinyl polymers are discussed and applied to benzene in PMA and PEA. In all cases the theory agrees satisfactorily with the experimental D(0,T) and D(c,T)/D(0,T) data, and the values of the disposable r_g and Δ parameters are of the expected order. The limiting Arrhenius behavior of benzene in natural rubber appears to be correctly predicted. The cell model is definitely more appropriate than the free volume model for the calculation of enfolding chain effects in highly crystalline PET. For the three amorphous polymers the two models give comparable results, the cell model being somewhat superior for natural rubber and PMA.