Properties of supercritical CO2 saturated poly(ethylene glycol) nonylphenyl ether

Density and viscosity of poly(ethylene glycol) nonylphenyl ether (PEG-NPE) saturated with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2), as well as the interfa cial tension in the PEG-NPE-SCCO2 system, were evaluated for the temperatur e range of 323 K to 343 K and pressures of 10.0 to 25.5 MPa. Remarkable pol ymer swelling as a result of solvent penetration was observed, and the coef ficient of swelling for the above mentioned experimental conditions was eva luated. Data obtained show that the viscosity of polymer-rich phase is a de creasing function of both temperature and pressure. Moreover interfacial te nsion is a decreasing linear function of carbon dioxide density.