Dual-mode sorption kinetics of gases in glassy polymers

The transport of gases in many glassy polymers can be described satisfactorily by means of a “dual‐mode sorption” model. The transport behavior observed with a given gas/polymer system can be characterized by the model parameters, which are obtained from solubility measurements in conjunction with absorption/desorption or permeability measurements. The present study discusses the inverse problem, namely, the prediction of the absorption/desorption behavior of a gas in a glassy polymer from a specified set of dual‐mode sorption parameters. Satisfactory agreement is obtained between reported absorption rates of sulfur dioxide in glassy polycarbonate and of water vapor in Kapton®† †Trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. and the rates predicted by the dual‐mode sorption model. This study also confirms the consistency of the model.