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We develop a multiscale simulation model for diffusion of solutes through porous triblock copolymer membranes. The approach combines two techniques: self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to predict the structure of the self-assembled, solvated membrane and on-lattice kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations to model diffusion of solutes. Solvation is simulated in SCFT by constraining the glassy membrane matrix while relaxing the brush-like membrane pore coating against the solvent. The kMC simulations capture the resulting solute spatial distribution and concentration-dependent local diffusivity in the polymer-coated pores; we parameterize the latter using particle-based simulations. We apply our approach to simulate solute diffusion through nonequilibrium morphologies of a model triblock copolymer, and we correlate diffusivity with structural descriptors of the morphologies. We also compare the model’s predictions to alternative approaches based on simple lattice random walks and find our multiscale model to be more robust and systematic to parameterize. Our multiscale modeling approach is general and can be readily extended in the future to other chemistries, morphologies, and models for the local solute diffusivity and interactions with the membrane.
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Solute–Solvent Interactions of 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl and 5-Tert-Butylisophthalic Acid in Polyethylene Glycol as Observed by Measurements of Density, Viscosity, and Self-Diffusion Coefficient
This study is seeking a better understanding of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a solvent to promote its use in chemical synthesis. The effect of adding two solutes of interest, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) and 5-tert-butylisophthalic acid (5-TBIPA) to PEG200 (average molar weight of 200 g·mol−1) on the solution density, viscosity, and selfdiffusion coefficients is monitored in a temperature range of 298.15–358.15 K to deduce how these solutes interact with the PEG200 solvent. The effect of water, the most common impurity in PEGs, is also monitored and found to be nearly negligibly small. Addition of (5-TBIPA) increases solution density and viscosity. Combined with the observation that 5-TBIPA consistently self-diffuses at about half the rate as PEG200 at all investigated experimental conditions, this suggests strong attractive solute–solvent interactions likely through hydrogen bonding interactions. In contrast, addition of TEMPO causes lower solution densities and viscosities suggesting that the solute–solvent interactions of TEMPO lead to an overall weakening of the intermolecular interactions present compared to neat PEG200. Inspection of the viscosity and self-diffusion temperature dependence reveals slight deviations from the Arrhenius equation. Interestingly, the activation energies obtained from the viscosity and the self-diffusion data are essentially identical in values suggesting that the same dynamic processes and thus the same activation barriers govern translational motion and momentum transfer in these PEG200 solutions.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1953428
- PAR ID:
- 10490962
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Solution Chemistry
- Volume:
- 52
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 0095-9782
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 685 to 707
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Polyethylene Glycol Green Solvent TEMPO 5-Tert-Butylisophthalic Acid Density Viscosity Self-Diffusion Hydrogen Bonding
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-023-01265-4
