Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of sorption kinetics, permeability, and diffusion of water vapor in porous polymeric membranes of different hydrophilicities and through-porosities. The water transport measurement with a constant gradient of partial pressure allows the authors to obtain reliable characteristics for porous membranes, films, artificial leathers, and fabrics of various chemical natures (synthetic and bio-based) and phase structures. All the kinetic permeability curves were determined and effective diffusion coefficients, as well as their apparent activation energies, were calculated at the stationary and non-stationary stages of the mass transfer. The relationship between the sorption–diffusion characteristics of the polymer barriers and their vapor permeability is traced. Within the framework of a Zolotarev–Dubinin dual dispersive model, an analytical equation is obtained that relates permeability to diffusion coefficients of water vapor in the pore volume, polymer skeleton material using such characteristics as porosity and the solubility coefficient. It is proposed to use this equation to predict the sorption properties for barrier and porous materials of complex architecture specifically in food packaging.
Highlights
Polymeric materials of different chemical natures and phase structures have such diverse functional purposes that the lifetime of products based on them varies drastically
The purpose of this work was to study the kinetics of water vapor permeability through porous polymeric membranes of different hydrophilicity by continuous registration of the vapor diffusate amount, combined with the theoretical analysis of the mass transfer process in such systems
The composition of the solutions was chosen in such a way that it would be possible to change the gradient of partial pressure of steam from (p/p0 )1 to (p/p0 )2 by changing the sources, moving along the sorption isotherm
Summary
Polymeric materials of different chemical natures and phase structures have such diverse functional purposes that the lifetime of products based on them varies drastically. Food packaging materials and containers, on the contrary, should be used no longer than the expiration period of the foodstuff. Otherwise, such materials, being discarded as solid domestic waste, pollute the environment. The best conditions for biodegradation of polymers are created in humid conditions, when moisture is immobilized in hydrophilic polymers, creating conditions for the development of microflora [2]. This process is significantly accelerated in porous polymeric membranes. This article is devoted to the analysis of the process of sorption and diffusion of water vapor in porous polymers of different hydrophilicities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
