Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.74, No.8, 2056-2062, 1999
Studies of the water permeability and mechanical properties of a film made of an ethyl cellulose-ethanol-water ternary mixture
A water permeability study of ethyl cellulose (EC) film made from an EC-ethanol-water ternary mixture is presented. EC films were prepared by pouring the solution onto a polycarbonate plate and by spraying. The results reveal that the permeability of water, estimated by diffusion experiments, increases as the amount of the nonsolvent increases in the liquid-liquid demixing process. In addition, a relative decrease in the evaporation rate of ethanol compared to that of water following an increase in casting temperature or a higher EC concentration produces a membrane with lower permeability. A mechanical evaluation of the films is also presented. Addition of water to the solvent leads to decreases in the modulus of elasticity, stress, and elongation, due to changes in the morphology of the film. The surface of the film was visualized by SEM photomicrography.