Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.

Abstract: A method of dyeing a substrate in carbon dioxide comprises the steps of (a) providing a dye composition comprising carbon dioxide, a dye, and a surfactant, the surfactant included in an amount sufficient to solubilize, emulsify or disperse the dye in the carbon dioxide; and then (b) dyeing said substrate with said dye composition.

Abstract: A process for making oxidized olefins is disclosed. Specifically, the process comprises providing an olefin and oxygen in combination in a reaction medium comprising carbon dioxide, and then oxidizing the olefin in the reaction medium to make the oxidized olefin. Preferably, a perfluoropolyether is produced by the process.

Abstract: The separation of a contaminant from a substrate that carries the contaminant is disclosed. The process comprises contacting the substrate to a carbon dioxide fluid containing an amphiphilic species wherein the contaminant associates with the amphiphilic species and becomes entrained in the carbon dioxide fluid. The substrate is then separated from the carbon dioxide fluid, and then the contaminant is separated from the carbon dioxide fluid.

Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant may be either one that contains a CO.sub.2 -philic group or one that does not contain a CO.sub.2 -philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane that has a flash point above 140.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for the polymerization of a monomer is disclosed. The method includes (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising a monomer, a stabilizer precursor, and a polymerization initiator in a polymerization medium comprising carbon dioxide; and then (b) polymerizing the monomer and the stabilizer precursor in the polymerization medium to form a heterogeneous reaction mixture comprising a polymer in the polymerization medium. The stabilizer precursor is covalently bound the polymer to provide an intrinsic surfactant in the polymer, which stabilizes the polymer in the heterogeneous reaction mixture.