Transport of gases in aromatic polyesters: correlation with WAXD studies

Abstract

Polymer packing density can be conveniently measured by either density-based measurements (direct or estimated free volume) or wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) spectra. Previously reported diffusivity and permeability values for various polyarylates and polyimides are examined on the basis of the packing density measured by these different techniques. It is shown that in these rigid glassy polymers, the mean intersegmental distance, the d-spacing, obtained from WAXD provides a better measure of the effect of polymer packing on diffusivity than either direct density measurements or estimated free volumes. It has been possible to correlate previously reported diffusivity and sorption data for various polyarylates and polycarbonate on the basis of the WAXD investigation, using the d-spacing and the amorphous peak width, respectively. The effect of polyarylate structure on d-spacing has been studied. A series of polyarylates have been synthesized with different substituents on the bridge carbon. In this series the d-spacing remains constant while the carbonyl group density and the glass transition temperatures are varied. However, small substituents on the aromatic ring cause significant changes in the d-spacing. These results can be used to tailor polyarylates with desired intersegmental distances and chain flexibility.