Supercritical‐Fluid Processing Technique for Nanoscale Polymer Particles

Abstract

Nanoparticles of a fluoropolymer, which is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, can be recovered from a liquid solvent after a rapid expansion process (see scheme). Nanoparticles with an average diameter less than 50 nm were initially obtained, however many strategies led to aggregation and the formation of agglomerates. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was found to be most effective in stabilizing the polymeric nanoparticles in aqueous suspension.