Diffusion of small molecules in polymers

Abstract

Abstract A very large amount of information is available in the open literature on the diffusion, or transport, of small molecules in polymers. A comprehensive discussion of this field would require an amount of space exceeding by far the confines of the present monograph. It is to be hoped that this herculean but extremely useful task will be undertaken by some enterprising investigator, or investigators, in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, a review is presented here of some of the important and more recent work on the diffusion of small molecules in both rubbery and glassy polymers. The main purpose of the review is to outline the thrust of this work and thus provide a perception of possible new developments in the field.