A free‐volume interpretation of the influence of the glass transition on diffusion in amorphous polymers

Abstract

Abstract A new version of the free‐volume theory of diffusion is used to describe polymer–solvent diffusion both above and below the glass transition temperature. Expressions are derived for the temperature dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient and for the effective activation energy in the limit of zero penetrant concentration. The theory also describes the effect of the glass transition on the diffusion process. Predictions of the theory are compared with available diffusivity data for amorphous polymer–solvent systems.