Abstract
The stabilization and flocculation of emulsions of poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) with the homopolymer poly(1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl acrylate) (PFOA), the diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-PFOA, and the triblock copolymer PFOA-b-poly(vinyl acetate)-b-PFOA were quantified by turbidimetry and measurements of interfacial tension. Upon decreasing the CO2 density, a distinct change in emulsion stability occurs at the critical flocculation density (CFD). Steric stabilization by the homopolymer PFOA is due to a small number of adsorbed segments and a large number of segments in loops and tails as determined by measurements of the PEHA−CO2 interfacial tension. Below the CFD, flocculation is irreversible due to bridging by the high molecular weight PFOA chains. PS-b-PFOA adsorbs much more strongly to the PEHA−CO2 interface than the other two stabilizers. Consequently, it provides the greatest resistance to emulsion flocculation, both above and below the CFD, and the most reversible flocculation. For all stabilizers studied, the CFD correlates very well with the estimated ϑ point for PFOA in bulk CO2.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
