Review of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Assisted Polymer Processing

The new research advances in polymer processing with supercritical CO2 were reviewed.The effects of supercritical CO2 on polymer processing,such as polymer modification,polymer blending,formation of polymer composites,microcellular foaming,particle production,and infusion of additives,were discussed.Its unique properties such as gas-like diffusivity and liquid-like density allow replacing conventional,often noxious,solvents with supercritical CO2.Though only a few polymers are soluble in supercritical CO2,it is quite soluble in many polymers.Dissolved CO2 causes polymers to be plasticized,resulting in considerable reduction of viscosity of molten polymer,glassy transition temperature,and growth of diffusitivity of additives,very important properties for the applications stated above.