Applications of Polymer Solution Thermodynamics to Decontamination Studies.

摘要

This review covers the applications of polymer solution thermodynamics to decontamination studies. For several years decontamination research had been hindered by the lack of a reproducible, thermodynamically stable PMMA/GD solution. Anomalous solubility and rheological behavior of PMMA thickened GD solutions complicated the threat analysis of thickened agents. It is shown that by selecting the proper PMMA copolymer or the appropriate cosolvent that a thermodynamically stable PMMA/GD solution can be made. This is done with the use of polymer solubility phase diagrams, which also can be used to select a decontamination solvent that will permeate thickened agents. Cosolvent additives can be developed that not only change the solvent system solubility parameter, but will also significantly increase the effective toxicity of PMMA/GD solutions, where decontamination measures are taken. (Author).