Thermodynamic model for the permeability of light gases in glassy polymers

The permeability of light gases in a series of different glassy polymers is analyzed through a thermodynamic-based approach for solubility and diffusivity. The nonequilibrium thermodynamic model for glassy polymers describes the solubility of the different penetrants; diffusivity is given as the product of a mobility factor and a thermodynamic factor. The latter is predicted by the nonequilibrium lattice fluid thermodynamic model, while the mobility coefficient is determined using the experimental permeability data. For rather soluble penetrants (e.g., CO2), a plasticization factor is also accounted for, considering the mobility to depend exponentially on penetrant concentration, as often observed experimentally. The model is able to describe accurately the experimental behavior in a simple and effective way, considering only two adjustable parameters. The mobility coefficient is found to depend on the penetrant size (critical volume) and on the fractional free volume of the polymer matrix, following rather general and reasonable correlations.