Effect of addition of supercritical CO2 on transfer and thermodynamic properties of biodegradable polymers PEG 600 and Brij52

Abstract

Thermodynamic and transport properties of systems PEG 600/CO2 and Brij52/CO2 at different experimental conditions were determined with the aim of choosing optimal conditions for further polymer processing. Solubility and diffusivity of CO2 were measured by a magnetic suspension balance, density by the density meter with a U-tube, and interfacial tension was determined by the capillary rise method. Solubility of CO2 in PEG 600 is 0.59095g/g whilst on the other hand, solubility of CO2 in Brij52 is for about 25% higher, 0.76584g/g at 290bar and 333K. In the entire range of investigated conditions, higher diffusion coefficient, and lower interfacial tension was attained for the system of PEG 600/CO2. Consequently, micronization of Brij52 without/with esomeprazole as active compound was carried out and foam of Brij52 with a micro pore cellular structure was produced while the average size of the cells ranges from 119.96 to 153.91μm.