MEASUREMENTS OF VAPOR SORPTION-DESORPTION PROPERTIES OF ULTRATHIN POLYMERIC FILMS

After a brief review of various standard methods of diffusion measurements of vapors into and out of polymeric solids, a direct gravimetric method for studying the sorption/desorption process in thin polymer films is discussed. The apparatus used consisted of a sensitive electrical balance housed in a vacuum pump. The sorption and desorption characteristics of thick polystyrene films were studied for comparison with literature values. The system polystyrene/methylene chloride was chosen to calibrate the system because of its known data. Experiments were carried out using the polystyrenes PS‐5 and Dow Trycite 1000 at 35 and 50 mm Hg. Results agreed well with those reported in the literature. The apparatus was also suitable for measuring the very initial uptake of vapor. This information is important in the study of very thin films where the amount of vapor absorbed is minimum and the initial rate of uptake is almost instantaneous. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.