Diffusion of organic penetrants through low density polyethylene (LDPE) films: Effect of size and shape of the penetrant molecules

The diffusion coefficient at zero penetrant concentration D₀ of dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexane, benzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene, and n-hexane in LDPE were measured at 25°C, using the desorption method. The D₀ values obtained in this way are correlated with the size, shape, and chemical nature of the penetrant molecules. The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficients of toluene and n-hexane in LDPE are also reported in the limited temperature range of 25–45°C. It indicates that, in spite of a size larger than that of toluene, n-hexane has a lower activation energy of diffusion.