title: Fourier transform infrared study of the dissolution mechanism of poly(methyl methacrylate) in CO2-expanded ethanol.
abstract: Both CO(2) and ethanol are nonsolvents for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 303 K, but PMMA dissolves in CO(2)-expanded ethanol (red spectrum, see figure). The dissolution process consists of swelling of the PMMA by the CO(2), which allows the ethanol to penetrate the PMMA and interact with the polymer through carbonyl-hydroxyl hydrogen bonds to separate the polymer chains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakua, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. mtym@fukuoka-u.jp
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mishima