Effective medium theory of permeation through ideal polymer networks

TL;DR

This paper applies effective medium theory to model and analyze the diffusion of molecules through ideal polymer networks, providing analytical insights and validating results with simulations.

Contribution

It introduces an EMT-based approach to study permeation in polymer networks modeled as lattice-gas systems, offering a new analytical framework.

Findings

EMT accurately predicts steady-state diffusion currents

Simulation results agree with EMT calculations

Provides a theoretical basis for permeation in polymer networks

Abstract

The diffusion process through an ideal polymer network is studied by applying the effective medium theory (EMT) to a lattice-gas model. Polymers are modeled by random walks on the lattice bonds, across which molecules can hop with a certain probability. The steady state current of the system is calculated using the EMT and the results are compared to the simulations.