Determination of diffusion rates in swelling systems

摘要

AbstractA new method of measuring diffusion coefficients of ethyl alcohol in keratin is described. Ethyl alcohol, which is retained in keratin on desorption by evacuation, is released by swelling the keratin with water vapor. The essential measurement is the loss of weight of the keratin as the ethyl alcohol diffuses out after the absorption of water. Values of the diffusion coefficients at 35°C. are given for a range of volume swelling of keratin where it is not possible to obtain the data by absorption or permeation measurements. The change of diffusion coefficient with swelling is in agreement with values obtained by absorption at lower and higher levels of swelling. The method should have general applicability to many polymer sorption systems where swelling occurs