Self diffusion in solutions of polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene with phthalates

The self diffusion of phthalate molecules and macromolecules has been investigated in PVC and PS solutions with low polymer contents, using a pulse NMR method. The coincidence appearing in regard to activation energies of self diffusion of the macromolecules and phthalate molecules is explained on the basis of the Frenkel theory. It is proposed that the dissolved macromolecules play the role of traps for rapidly diffusing solvent molecules. It is shown that the translational mobility of phthalate molecules in the temperature region examined is mainly determined by activated jumps. The space network in PVC gels does not influence the mobility of phthalates. © 1980