Influence of the organic compounds addition in the polymer free volume, gas sorption and diffusion

Three low molecular compounds were added to a glassy polymer, poly(amino-ether) resin, in order to change its free volume and to study the subsequent effect in transport properties. Free volume characterization was carried out using the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy technique. Two electrobalances were used to obtain carbon dioxide sorption kinetic. Diffusion coefficient variation is in good agreement with the additive antiplasticizer character, i.e. the reduction of the free volume fraction. However, solubility is affected by other variables too, as the balance of the interactions between penetrant, additive and polymer as well as the effect of coming closer the sorption temperature to the glass transition temperature in the sorption mode.

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► Characterization of the antiplasticizer nature by positron annihilation spectroscopy.
► Sorption mode changes induced by additives.
► Correlation between free volume changes and diffusion coefficient.