Modeling VOC Sorption and Transport in Glassy Polymeric Membranes

In this work we evaluated the sorption, diffusion and permeation of a series of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (acetone, n-butane, n-pentane, n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and toluene) into glassy polymers of increasing fractional free volume (FFV): Polycarbonate (PC), Amorphous Teflon AF1600 and AF2400, poly-trimethylsilyl norbornene (PTMSN) and poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP). Based on some experimental data of sorption and diffusion, and on theoretical and empirical models for the solubility and diffusion coefficients, the permeability for vapor/N2 mixtures was evaluated. These parameters are useful for the membrane separation processes and for other applications such as chemical sensors. The ideal separation factors of glassy polymeric membranes versus mixtures of VOCs and N2 were estimated at various pressures and compositions and at 25°C. The selectivity vs. permeability maps for the mixtures considered were plotted, showing that some of these materials show potentially the same selective ability of rubbery polymeric films. In particular it is shown that, the higher the FFV, the better the vapor/gas selectivity.