Solubility of polystyrene with various molecular weights in subcritical 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane: experiment and modified model

Abstract

The solubility of polystyrene with molecular weight of 100 000 and 260 000 g mol−1 was measured at temperatures from 313 to 333 K and at pressures from 5.0 to 13.0 MPa in subcritical 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (R134a). The effects of pressure, temperature and molecular weight on the solubility of polystyrene were investigated. Meanwhile, the solubility of polystyrene was correlated using six density‐based semi‐empirical models (Chrastil, A‐L, K‐J, S‐S, M‐S‐T and Bartle). The M‐S‐T model was used to verify the self‐consistency of the experimental data, and the enthalpy values of polystyrene, including ΔHtotal, ΔHsub and ΔHsol, were estimated through the Chrastil and Bartle models. In addition, a modified M‐S‐T model was proposed through a detailed study of semi‐empirical model formulas and verified by the solubility of polystyrene in subcritical R134a and 38 other solid solutes in supercritical carbon dioxide and subcritical R134a. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry