Macrovoids formation and light scattering of PMMA

After desorption of PMMA with saturated methanol and ethanol and then desorption by distilled water, the macrovoids are formed because of the phase inversion. The macrovoids on the surface of the specimens are larger and more numerous than those in the bulk. The macrovoids are likely to be closed-type, if the hydrolysis temperature is lower. On the other hand, if the hydrolysis temperature is higher, the macrovoids are likely to be open-type. Due to the formation of macrovoids, smaller than visible wavelengths, the light will disperse, and therefore, reduces the transmittance of the specimens. The transmittance is decreased when the hydrolysis temperature and hydrolysis time are increased. Furthermore, it is much clearer when ethanol is used as solvent than methanol. The scattered intensity of the specimens after hydrolysis is inversely proportional to the visible wavelength with an exponent, n, in the range 0·04–2·83 for methanol and 0·02–0·21 for ethanol.