I have a polymer film of two layers of (poly)Triacetylcellulose, sandwiching a polyurethane layer. I would like to find a liquid substance (Solvent) that will permeate both polymers and swell the polyurethane. Then the liquid should be easily removed by evaporative methods. Water doesn't work, Isopropyl alcohol is too slow, Acetone damages the polymer film. Ethyl 3-Ethoxypropionate swells much too fast for our needs. Any ideas of the choice of solvent for this swelling application.
You can use a mix of the ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate with another organic solvent (it can be more hydrophilic for reducing the swelling rate)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pol.1968.150060310/abstract
Maybe this article can help you?
You may want to check answers to a somewhat related question, since solvents for cellulose triacetate (i.e. triacetylcellulose; CTA), can be found among those that can be selected for cellulose acetate. Such solvents, if applied at a relatively cold temperature and/or mixed with a compatible miscible non-solvent, may be able to swell and permeate CTA, without appreciably dissolving the polymer: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Can_anyone_suggest_a_suitable_solvent_to_dissolve_cellulose_acetate
Specific solvents that have been recommended for polyurethane ― such as dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ― were mentioned elsewhere at this forum: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_is_the_best_solvent_to_dissolve_polyurethane_elastomer https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_I_remove_a_TPU_from_a_glass_surface
It seems than a solvent mixture may possibly be best suited than a pure solvent, to address the proposed goal.
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