The decomposition process of polystyrene particles dispersed in D2O was analyzed by in situ small-angle neutron scattering under near critical and supercritical conditions. Upon heating in the subcritical state, the particles were swollen by D2O because of enhanced miscibility between polystyrene and D2O. In the supercritical state, the particles were completely degraded and formed monomer- or oligomer-rich domains due to phase separation. The findings and utilized techniques provide essential knowledge about the ways to elucidate the structural change of plastics in sub- and supercritical fluids.
- Motoki Shibata
- Yohei Nakanishi
- Tsukasa Miyazaki
