Determination of the infinite dilution diffusion and activity coefficients of alkanes in polypropylene by inverse gas chromatography

Abstract

AbstractInfinite dilution diffusion and activity coefficients of n‐hexane, n‐heptane, and n‐decane in polypropylene were measured from 373.15 to 393.15 K by inverse gas chromatography. The influences of small molecule solvent and temperature on the infinite dilution diffusion and activity coefficients were investigated. The results showed that the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient decreased but the infinite dilution activity coefficient increased with an increasing number of CH2 group in the aliphatic solvents. The temperature increase resulted in the increase in the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient and the decrease in the infinite dilution activity coefficient. The graphs plotted according to the results of the infinite dilution diffusion coefficient versus temperature were in agreement with the Arrhenius equation. Diffusion constant and activation energy were obtained from the Arrhenius equation. Also, the interdependence on the infinite dilute activity coefficient and temperature accorded with Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation. From the temperature dependence of the limiting activity coefficients partial molar excess enthalpy at infinite dilution HE,∞ was obtained. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1925–1930, 2006