Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.40, No.19, 4058-4068, 2001
Coating of metal powders with polymers in supercritical carbon dioxide
Supercritical carbon dioxide was used as a solvent to produce polymeric films on fused silica plates and metal (Al, Mg) powders. Two polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(4-vinylbiphenyl) (PVB), were used. Polymer-coated particles of metal powders exhibit enhanced resistance to the dissolution in aqueous basic and acidic solutions. The protective properties of the films were quantified based on the dissolution rate. The average thickness of the PVB films (that contain aromatic rings) was evaluated using UV absorption spectroscopy. A technique to measure the solubilities of poorly soluble polymers in supercritical carbon dioxide was developed. The effect of the coating conditions on the protective properties of the produced polymeric films was evaluated.