Key words: polymers, porosity, supercritical fluids, carbon dioxide
New efficient two-stage method for creating a desired porosity in polymeric materials is developed. It consists in polymer treatment with carbon dioxide in supercritical state. The applicability of the method to modification of most practically important glassy polymers is demonstrated on such examples as polymethylmetacrylate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and dacryl 6. The capability of varying the pore volume depending on the conditions of treatment in supercritical medium and of subsequent heating is among the main features of the suggested method. An easy-to-operate method of measuring the total pore volume in polymer materials is also suggested. It is based on weighing the material treated by water under elevated pressure and room temperature.