Diffusion of electrolytes in hydrolyzable glassy polymers: Acetic acid in poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), and polyesters

Abstract

Engineering materials containing poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) as the key component undergo hydrolytic degradation, which must be minimized or, at least, controlled. To characterize PVAc hydrolysis quantitatively, the diffusion of acetic acid (HAc) in PVAc, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), unsaturated polyester (UPE), and a UPE/ PVAc blend was studied in detail. The permeability cell earlier developed by the authors was modified here to reduce experimental error. As the diffusion and solubility coefficients of water and HAc in the above materials were measured at different temperatures, a mathematical model was developed, which takes proper account of the combined water and HAc diffusion in PVAc undergoing partial hydrolysis. The model was further validated by the experimental data obtained at 70°C for UPE/PVAc film, simulating a matrix of sheet-molding compounds composite materials.

PVA cryogel membranes as a promising tool for the retention and separation of metal ions from aqueous solutions

“…Permeability of heavy metal ion salts through PVA HG membranes was measured using a diffusion cell similar to that reported elsewhere 26, 27. This consists of two 250 mL compartments filled with electrolyte solution (the donor compartment) and water (the receptor compartment).…”

Molecular transport of aliphatic hydrocarbons through styrene butadiene rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate blends

“…The importance of the examination of the diffusion and transport behavior of organic solvents through polymeric materials, which are used in a wide variety of engineering applications, has been widely recognized 1–7. Solvent sorption and diffusion are the limiting factors of polymer end use applications because these processes change the mechanical properties and sometimes cause destruction in polymer structures.…”