Inverse gas chromatographic observation of thermodynamic interaction between poly (vinylidene fluoride) and organic solvents

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) has been applied to observe the interactio n between poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and organic solvent systems unde r conditions approaching infinite dilution of the volatile component. The specific retention volumes (V-g(0)) were calculated from the retention volumes of the PVDF/solvent systems. The retention diagrams (RDs! which wer e plotted as InVg0, vs, reciprocal temperature, corresponded with the therm odynamic behavior of PVDF. PVDF dissolves well in carbonyl-containing solve nts at high temperatures. Tn these systems, the solution is converted easil y to a thermoreversible gel by standing at room temperature. The Flory-Hugg ins interaction parameter (chi 12) and molar heat of sorption of probe abso rbed by the amorphous part of PVDF (Delta HIs) calculated from the retentio n values indicated that the characteristics of the interaction between PVDF and the solvent (probe) Varied with temperature and probe properties. The results of IGC of PVDF/solvent systems were discussed in relation to the di ssolution and gelation behavior of PVDF.