Thermodynamic Study on Dynamic Water Vapor Sorption in Sylgard-184

The dynamic and equilibrium water vapor sorption properties of Sylgard-184, a commercially available poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer (PDMS), were determined via gravimetric analysis from 30 to 70 degrees C. Described here is a methodology for quantitatively assessing how water vapor diffuses and ad/absorbs into polymeric materials that are traditionally considered hydrophobic. PDMS materials are frequently chosen for their moisture barrier properties; our results, however, demonstrate that moisture is able to penetrate the material over a range of temperatures and humidities. The sorption values measured here ranged from ca. 0.1 to 1.4 cm(3) (STP) H2O/g Sylgard. The isotherms exhibited sigmoidal character and were fit to a triple mode sorption model. Asymptotic behavior at low water activities was characterized using a Langmuir type adsorption model, linear behavior was fit to a Henry's law type dependence, and the convex portion at higher activities was fit with good agreement to Park's equation for pooling or clustering. The thermal dependence of these sorption modes was also explored and reported. The dynamics of the sorption process were fit to a Fickian model and effective diffusivities are reported along with corresponding activation energies. The diffusivity values measured here ranged from ca. 0.5 to 3.5 x 10(-5) cm(2)/s depending on the temperature and relative humidity. The concentration dependence of the diffusivity showed a direct correlation with the three modes of uptake obtained from the isotherms. Corrections to the diffusivities were calculated using existing models that take into account adsorption and pooling.