Vibrational spectroscopic studies of the diffusion and perturbation of water in polymeric membranes

We have reviewed a selection of the recently published diffusion and perturbation data for water in polymers, and have critically assessed some of our own measurements using ATR-FTIR. We have shown that, although infrared and Raman methods enable solvent transport and molecular electronic structure (and structural changes) to be easily determined, relatively little information about the 'micro void' distribution is forthcoming. A new finding is that infrared band shape and intensity measurements ought to allow the nature and degree of solvent perturbation to be explored, while at the same time monitoring the transport, swelling and chemical redistribution processes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.