SELECTION OF POLYMER SOLVENTS AND NEW TWO-DIMENSIONAL SOLUBILITY PARAMETER

Based on the new definition of solubility parameter obtained by our previous work, a new two-dimensional solubility parameter consisted of the physical and chemical (solubility parameter) components has been established. The method proposed by Wiehe is used as a reference to divide the two components. From the profile of solubility data, it can be seen that all solvents are almost located within some area of solubility parameter diagram for every polymer. This area can be expressed by an ellipse, which provides an important basis for the selection of polymer solvents. Using a simple adding rule, it can be satisfactorily used to predict the solvency of mixing solvents. The results of extensive testing show that the new two-dimensional solubility parameter is more reliable than Hansen's three-dimensional solubility parameter for the selection of polymer solvents.