METHANOL TRANSPORT IN CROSS-LINKED POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

Methanol transport in crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was studied. Four thicknesses were considered: 0.6, 1.0, 1.5 and 1.9 mm. The front velocity is independent of thickness. The front velocity obeys the Arrhenius equation and the activation energy is 20 kcal mol(-1). Comparing the crosslinked and uncrosslinked PMMA, the front velocity of the crosslinked PMMA is smaller than that of uncrosslinked PMMA. The saturated amount of methanol increases with temperature and obeys the van't Hoff plot. The process of mass transport is endothermic and the heat of mixing is 2.65 kcal mol(-1) regardless of thickness.