| Abstract: | Diffusion of five polystyrene fractions at various concentrations in toluene through cellophane membranes has been observed. The results have been used to calculate friction coefficients between solvent and solute, and between solute and membrane. The calculation requires measurement of the diffusion coefficient and the reflection coefficient of the solute, of the permeability for the solvent, of the pore volume of the membrane, and of the partition coefficient of the solute between membrane and solvent. By comparing the friction coefficient between solvent and solute in the membrane with this coefficient in free solution, the tortuosity factor and the pore diameter of the membrane can be estimated. The dependence of the friction coefficients on molecular weight M2 of the solute is determined. For large values of M2, the friction between solute and solvent is the determining factor. The friction coefficient between solute and solvent increases more strongly with M2 in the membrane than in free solution owing to an entrance effect for the permeating solute at the interface. |
