Diffusion in Multi-Component Polymeric Systems: Diffusion of Non-Volatile Species

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Molecular diffusion in polymeric systems plays an important role in the production of many high-quality products. Examples include foils for LCD-panels, transdermal patches or medical test strips and membranes for liquid separations. The diffusion behavior has an important impact on the physical and chemical properties, including mechanical and optical properties, wetting behavior or drug release rates i.e. the product quality of the polymeric system. The research to be conducted in this project is a comprehensive study of diffusion in polymeric systems containing multiple components of volatile species (solvents) and non-volatile species called non-volatiles here such as softeners in LCD-panel-foils or additives in diagnostics or drugs in transdermal patches. The focus of the research will be on diffusion of (multiple) non-volatile species in polymeric systems. The experimental technique, which will be applied, is the Inverse-Micro-Raman-Spectroscopy (IMRS), which has been developed by the PI of this proposal in Karlsruhe. Chemical compositions in multi-component mixtures can be detected locally and contact-free. Currently, concentration gradients in thin polymeric films can be measured with a best level of temporal, spatial and quantitative resolution in this research field. An extended and new experimental apparatus will be constructed especially for precise measurement of multi-component diffusion under controlled boundary conditions. Experimental results will be used to evaluate and develop mathematical models for multicomponent mass transport.