ATR-FTIR study of the diffusion and interaction of water and electrolyte solutions in polymeric membranes

We present a comparative review of the most up to date ATR-FTIR measurements of water diffusion into three polymers, PET, PVC and SPEES-PES. New data on the diffusion of water from electrolyte solutions into SPEES-PES have been added and we discuss reasons for changes in transport coefficient due to ionic screening of interchain repulsions. Finally, we point out, and attempt to interpret, the differences in perturbation of the water IR bands in the three different polymer types. Some suggestions for further elucidation of the effect have been made.