Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol.34, No.9, 1541-1546, 1996
Gas-Diffusion in Partially Crystalline Polymers .1. Concentration-Dependence
In this work, a phenomenological model for the gas diffusion in partially crystalline polymers using differential effective medium theory is presented. By making an analogy with the power law known as Archie’s law which relates the d.c. conductivity of a brine saturated porous rock to its porosity; we show that gas diffusion through semicrystalline polymers can be described in a similar way. It is assumed that the diffusion coefficient in the crystalline region is zero, while in the amorphous region it is given by a free volume model, and an effective diffusion coefficient D-eff, is obtained using the mentioned analogy. The variation of D-eff upon concentration is analyzed through its free volume dependence. The crystallinity dependence is considered through an average chain immobilization factor [beta], which is explicitely derived. Finally, the results of this model are compared with experimental data given by Kreituss and Frisch, obtaining a good agreement.
Keywords:SEDIMENTARY-ROCKS