Internal plasticization of poly(vinyl) chloride using glutamic acid as a branched linker to incorporate four plasticizers per anchor point

Internal plasticization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using thermal azide‐alkyne Huisgen dipolar cycloaddition between azidized PVC and electron‐poor acetylenediamides incorporating a branched glutamic acid linker resulted in incorporation of four plasticizing moieties per attachment point on the polymer chain. A systematic study incorporating either alkyl or polyethylene glycol esters provided materials with varying degrees of plasticization, with depressed T_g values ranging from ?1 °C to 62 °C. Three interesting trends were observed. First, T_g values of PVC bearing various internal plasticizers were shown to decrease with increasing chain length of the plasticizing ester. Second, branched internal plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol chains had lower T_g values compared to those with similar length long‐chain alkyl groups. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis of these internally plasticized PVC samples revealed that these branched internal plasticizers bearing alkyl chains are more thermally stable than similarity branched plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol units. These internal tetra‐plasticizers were synthesized and attached to PVC‐azide in three simple synthetic steps. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1821–1835     

Transport of water and gases through EVA copolymer films,EVA70/PVC,and EVA70/PVC/gluten blends

The transport of water vapor and gases (oxygen or carbon dioxide) through poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) films of different VA contents and through EVA₇₀/PVC and EVA₇₀/PVC/gluten blend films, was analysed by permeation measurements. In the case of water, a plasticization effect on the material is observed for EVA films with more than 33percnt; wt. of VA content and also for the EVA₇₀/PVC blend. For EVA of 19 wt.percnt; VA, there is no plasticization, while for LDPE (low density polyethylene) and EVA of 4.5 wt.percnt; VA, the water diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing the water content. A negative plasticization effect was accounted for by an empirical model and attributed to the formation of water clusters in the non polar polymers. The increase in water sorption extent with the VA content leads to a steady increase in the water permeability in the EVA copolymers while for the EVA₇₀/PVC blend, the reduced water permeability is explained by the interaction between chlorinated units and polar groups. In the case of gas permeation, both for O₂ and CO₂ and whatever the VA content of the copolymer used, the experimental curves are characterized by a constant diffusion coefficient. This result is not surprising as it is generally admitted that, gases sorb into rubbery polymers according to Henry's law. By mixing PVC with the EVA of 70percnt; wt. VA, the diffusion coefficients of CO₂ and O₂ are greatly reduced (6 times).     

Poly(?-caprolactone)-based ‘green’ plasticizers for poly(vinyl choride)

A series of proposed plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) with octanoate and benzoate-terminal groups, were synthesized with various microstructures and molecular weights (MW) and tested for biodegradability as well as for mechanical performance, and leaching resistance in blends with PVC. The plasticization efficiency of each was characterized by measuring the glass transition temperature (T_g) and tensile properties of PCL/PVC blends. The PCL-octanoate plasticizers demonstrated plasticization efficiency similar to di(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) with the same plasticizer loading. PCL-benzoate/PVC blends had much higher T_gs (∼20 °C higher) compared to PCL-octanoate/PVC and DEHP/PVC blends. Yield stresses were about two times higher for PCL-benzoate/PVC blends compared to PCL-octanoate/PVC and DEHP/PVC blends, reflecting the stiffer nature of such blends. Biodegradation was rapid for all PCL-octanoates, with the exception of linear PCL-octanoates with arm molecular weights >10³ g mol⁻¹. Biodegradation rates of PCLs by Rhodococcus rhodocrous were not affected by microstructure for the range of PCL topologies studied (linear versus three or four arms) but were slower for PCLs made from commercial PCL-diols that had a central ether linkage due to the initiator used to make these compounds. Leaching resistance was higher as PCL molecular weight increased and, for pairs of comparable sized species, significantly less PCL-benzoate leached out compared to the PCL-octanoate. For the range of PCL topologies studied, the number of arms did not significantly affect leaching resistance. In summary, both the end group and the molecular weight influenced the leaching resistance of the PCL. PCL-octanoates were comparable plasticizers to DEHP in terms of the mechanical properties examined, and were rapidly degraded by a common soil microorganism.     

Ionic liquids: New generation stable plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride)

Room temperature ionic liquids (ILs), based on ammonium, imidazolium and phosphonium cations, were studied as novel plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride), PVC. All the ILs tested were able to produce flexible PVC. Upon 20 wt% plasticization, some of the ILs lowered the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PVC more than that done by several traditional plasticizers. They showed good thermodynamic compatibility as well. Several ILs showed better leaching and migration resistance than the traditional plasticizers. This was, in particular, a significant observation considering the ongoing controversy regarding the leaching and migration issues of the commonly-used phthalate plasticizers. High temperature and ultraviolet (UV) ray stability of IL-plasticized PVC samples were also studied.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of ZnCl2 catalyzed degradation of PVC

The kinetic parameters of dehydrochlorination (DHCL) process of PVC and PVC mixed with different amount of ZnCl₂ have been determined by using thermogravimetric analysis. These values have been compared with those obtained by using UV-visible spectroscopic analysis of PVC film containing ZnCh degraded at different temperatures. The values of apparent activation energy (E _a) decreases with the increase of the amount of ZnCl₂ and the values obtained in the present work are in reasonable comparison with previous works. The catalytic effect of ZnCl₂ on PVC DHCL process is explained here.

---

Zusammenfassung Mittels TG wurden die kinetischen Parameter des Dehydrochlorierungsprozesses (DHCL) von PVC und von mit verschiedenen Mengen von ZnCl₂ versetztem PVC bestimmt. Diese Werte wurden mit denjenigen verglichen, die man bei der spektroskopischen Analyse der Zersetzung von ZnCl₂-haltigen PVC-Filmen bei verschiedenen Temperaturen im sichtbaren UV-Bereich erhalten hatte. Die Werte der scheinbaren Aktivierungsenergie (E _a) sinken mit zunehmendem ZnCl₂-Gehalt und die hier erhaltenen Werte sind vergleichbar gut mit denen der vorangehenden Arbeit. Der katalytische Effekt von ZnCl₂ auf PVC DHCL-Vorgänge wurde erklärt.

     

Some connections between viscoelastic properties of PVC and plasticized PVC and molecular kinetics

A coupling model that has been shown in the past to be capable of relating macroscopically measured relaxation parameters to molecular ones has been presented. In this article the coupling model is applied to the analysis of stress relaxation data collected by Cama and Sternstein on PVC and plasticized PVC. The Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts form, exp — (t/τ*)^1?n, using n = 0.77 is found to be capable of describing the stress relaxation master curve at temperatures below the glass transition, T_g. From the temperature-independent apparent activation energy found by Cama and Sternstein, the primitive activation energy of the α-relaxation was calculated to be 7.5 kcal/mol, which is a reasonable value for the energy barrier to internal rotational isomerism in PVC. Support for this value is found from the data on two plasticized PVCs with different T_gs and apparent activation energies. By applying the coupling model in a similar manner, the primitive activation energies were found to be 8.5 kcal/mol for PVC plasticized with 6 pph dioctylphthalate and 7.7 kcal/mol for PVC plasticized with 6 pph tricresyl phosphate. Within experimental uncertainties, the three primitive activation energies can be considered to be the same. This finding is consistent with the physical basis for primitive activation energy and its identification with the internal rotation barrier, which should be independent of the type and amount of plasticizer in the system. Analysis of Cama and Sternstein's data on the effect of repeated stress aging on stress relaxation of quenched samples of PVC and plasticized PVC show that the coupling constant n increases systematically with each successive stress-aging cycle until it approaches the value for slow-cooled samples. These results are consistent with the notion that stress-aging changes the structural state of the glass in ways similar to physical aging.     

Thermally induced conformational changes in poly(vinyl chloride)

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used for the detection of thermally induced conformational changes in atactic poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Difference spectra emphasize changes in the distribution of gauche defects in the chains as functions of temperature and annealing. Specific bands in the ν(CCl) and δ(CH₂) regions varied with inverse temperature, allowing a calculation of the activation energies of the rotamer species. Conformational changes were also detected in quenched PVC films as a result of annealing below the glass transition temperature, T_g.     

High-temperature pyrolysis of poly(vinyl chloride): Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the pyrolysis products from PVC resin and plastisols

A pyrolysis–gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric technique for analyzing the pyrolysis products from polymers in an inert atmosphere is described. Initial studies encompassing the pyrolysis of poly(vinyl chloride) homopolymer and a series of PVC plastisols (based on o-phthalate esters) have provided a complete qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the pyrolysis products from these materials. PVC resin yields a series of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons when pyrolyzed at 600°C; the amount of aromatic products is greater than the amount of aliphatic products. Benzene is the major organic degradation product. A typical PVC plastisol [PVC/o-dioctyl phthalate (100/60)] yields, upon pyrolysis, products that are characteristic of both the PVC matrix and the phthalate plasticizer. The pyrolysis products from the plasticizer dilute those from the PVC portion of the plastisol and are, in turn, the major degradation products. There are no degradation products resulting from an interaction of the PVC with the plastisol. The pyrograms resulting from pyrolysis of the various plastisols of PVC can be used for purposes of “fingerprinting.” Identification of the major peaks in a typical plastisol pyrogram provides information leading to a precise identification of the plasticizer. The pyrolysis data from this study were related to a special case of flammability and toxicity.     

Designing anti-migration furan-based plasticizers and their plasticization properties in poly (vinyl chloride) blends

The use of bio-based plasticizers with low toxicity and good compatibility with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has attracted more attention in the recent years. With bio-based 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and butyl oligo-glycol ethers as raw materials, three liquid furan-based plasticizers of di(butyl glycol) furan-2,5-dicarboxylate, di(butyldiglycol) furan-2,5-dicarboxylate and di(butyltriglycol) furan-2,5-dicarboxylate were synthesized by direct esterification. The chemical structure of three plasticizers was characterized with FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. From DMA measurement, the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the plasticized PVC was decreased gradually when furan-based plasticizers were added to PVC formulation from 30 up to 50 phr. Due to lots of ether bonds in furan-based plasticizers, they expressed over two-fold lower migration in organic solvent compared with the traditional plasticizer diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Through the characterization of elongation at break, hardness and thermal stability, furan-based plasticizers presented the same plasticization properties as DEHP, and had potential industrial application prospects.     

Piezoelectricity in uniaxially stretched and plasticized nylon 11 films

The combined effect of uniaxial stretching and plasticization of nylon 11 films on the resulting piezoelectric response was studied. Three different kinds of samples were studied for nylon 11 α′-form films: (1) uniaxially stretched at 150°C, (2) samples uniaxially stretched at 150°C and then plasticized by immersion in 2-ethyl 1,3-hexanediol, and (3) samples plasticized and then uniaxially stretched. The largest piezoelectric response was obtained from the samples which were plasticized prior to uniaxial stretching under identical poling conditions. For the case of nylon 11 δ′-form films, two different kinds of experiments were performed: (1) samples uniaxially stretched at room temperature were subsequently plasticized by immersion in the plasticizer and a comparison of their piezoelectric response made with that of the unplasticized samples as a function of poling field; (2) the plasticizer content dependence of the piezoelectric response from these samples was studied. In both cases, d₃₁ was observed to be higher for the plasticized films compared with the unplasticized films. The piezoelectric stress constant e₃₁ showed a small decrease with plasticization. X-ray diffraction studies indicated a small conversion of δ′-phase to α′-phase with plasticization. No significant changes were observed in the x-ray diffraction scans taken before and after poling.     

Latex Thermostimulated Flocculation in Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam) Solutions

The effect of temperature on the flocculation of dilute polystyrene latex in the presence of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVC), a thermosensitive polymer interacting with water to form systems characterized by a lower critical mixing temperature, is studied by the nephelometry. It is shown that PVC induces latex flocculation only in the presence of a small amount of an inorganic electrolyte. Dependence of the initial flocculation rate on PVC concentration has an extremal pattern, which is typical of polymer flocculants. At concentrations close to those of optimal flocculation, heating in the range below the phase separation temperature (T _ps) increases the flocculation rate and the sizes of forming aggregates. It is found that, at PVC concentrations that do not induce the flocculation at room temperature, heating in the range above T _ps (in the presence of a sensitizing electrolyte) results in an irreversible latex flocculation. The disclosed thermostimulated flocculation is assumed to be due to the deterioration of the solvent thermodynamic quality.     

Quantifying supercritical CO2 dilation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro-propylene) utilizing a linear variable differential transducer: plasticization and melting behavior

Melting behavior of semicrystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) is investigated as a function of supercritical CO₂ pressure using a Linear Variable Displacement Transformer (LVDT). The melting temperature (T_m) of both polymers is lowered due to supercritical CO₂ plasticization. For PVDF, the maximum lowering of T_m (ΔT_m/n=23°C) occurs between 483 and 552 bar. The corresponding value for the copolymer is Δ T_m = 26°C at 552 bar. At higher pressures, hydrostatic effects override plasticization and T_m increases for both polymers. By comparing T_m in N₂, a noninteracting gas, the opposing effects of plasticization and hydrostatic pressure on T_m are explored.     

An in situ study of plasticization of polymers by high-pressure gases

A high-pressure differential scanning calorimetric technique is described for studying polymer plasticization by compressed gases at pressures to 100 atm. The in situ measurements avoid problems due to gas desorption encountered with conventional DSCs, thus providing an accurate way to determine the change in glass transition temperature, T_g, with pressure, p. The entire T_g–p curve can be established in less than 2 days. The glass transition was observed as a sharp step in the case of 100–200-μm thin samples, whereas thicker samples gave a broad transition; highly reproducible results were obtained for the thin samples. For PS–CO₂, the measured T_gs under various pressures were found to be in good agreement with literature values. Results for the systems PS–HFC134a, PVC–CO₂, and PC–CO₂ are also reported. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 977–982, 1998     

Miscibility behavior of di(ethyl-2 hexyl) phthalate in binary and ternary chlorinated polymer blends

The miscibility behavior of ternary blends made by the addition of di(ethyl-2 hexyl) phthalate (DOP) to a mixture of chlorinated polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Two chlorinated polymer mixtures were selected: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a chlorinated polyethylene containing 48 wt% Cl (CPE48), and PVC with a chlorinated PVC containing 67 wt% Cl (CPVC67). Each binary DOP/chlorinated polymer pair is miscible whereas PVC/CPE48 and PVC/CPVC67 blends are immiscible. DOP/CPE48/PVC and DOP/PVC/CPVC67 ternary blends containing, respectively, more than 55 and 20% DOP exhibit a single glass transition temperature (T_g). The spinodal between the one-T_g zone and the two-T_g zone is symmetrical in the two cases. At high DOP concentrations, a quantitative analysis of the results leads to the conclusion of the presence of a true ternary phase. At low DOP concentrations where two T_gs are observed, the DOP is distributed equally between the two chlorinated polymers forming, in the DOP/CPE48/PVC case for instance, two binary DOP/CPE48 and DOP/PVC phases. The broad immiscibility zone observed in the DOP/CPE48/PVC ternary blend as compared to the DOP/PVC/CPVC67 blend appears to be mainly caused by the high molecular weight of CPE48, as compared with PVC and CPVC67. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.     

Antimicrobial agents as photostabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Some amide derivatives of ethylene glycol‐bis(2‐aminoethylether)‐N,N,N^′,N^′‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA) have been prepared via their coupling with different aniline derivatives: amino, methyl, chloro, and hydroxy aniline. The EGTA amide derivatives were characterized, and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. These antimicrobial agents have been investigated as photostabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), suspension PVC, with a K value of 70. Their stabilizing efficiencies were evaluated by determining the percentage of weight loss, the intrinsic viscosities, as well as the amount of formed gel of the photodegraded PVC. The extent of discoloration and the change in the mechanical properties of the photodegraded polymer were also evaluated. The applied materials reduced the loss in weight that resulted from HCl evolution during photodegradation. Both viscosity and gel content measurements showed also a decrease in their values during the degradation process. The decrease in the percentage of gel formation upon applying the investigated photostabilizers reflects the lowering in extent of cross‐linking of the polymer, which implies preserving the mechanical properties of PVC. The extent of discoloration was also improved in the presence of the investigated compounds. The results have proved a greater stabilizing efficiencies of the antimicrobial EGTA amide derivatives than that of the phenyl salicylate ultraviolet (UV) absorber, which is commonly used as an industrial stabilizer. A radical mechanism was proposed to account for the stabilizing action of the investigated products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride

Fourth and fifth generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimers and methyl and benzyl functionalized copolymers of these dendrimers are solution blended with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The methyl‐derivative copolymer is observed to be dispersed in PVC as judged by optical and dynamic scanning calorimetry measurements. This dispersion leads to a substantial reduction in the glass transition temperature and a commensurate plasticization effect, demonstrating that functionalized dendrimer copolymers can successfully plasticize semicrystalline polymers. This plasticization is thought to occur as a result of additional free volume from the highly branched structure of the dendrimer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1970–1975, 2007     

The effect of plasticization on the transport of gases in and through glassy polymers

The effects of plasticization on the transport of gases and vapors in and through glassy polymers are examined from the viewpoint of the “dual-mode” sorption model with partial immobilization. The analysis assumes the existence of two penetrant populations with different mobilities in the Henry's law and Langmuir domains of the glassy polymers. These mobilities are characterized by their mutual diffusion coefficients D_D and D_H. The plasticization of the polymer by penetrant gases is reflected in the concentration dependence of D_D and D_H. Expressions for the effective (apparent) diffusion and permeability coefficients are derived assuming that D_D and D_H are exponential functions of the penetrant concentration in the polymers. The results of this study are compared with a similar analysis which assumed the existence of a single mobile penetrant population. The present analysis provides information on the effects of plasticization on the penetrant transport in the Henry's law and Langmuir domains separately. The effects of antiplasticization or clustering of penetrant molecules on the effective diffusion and permeability coefficients are also examined.     

Diffusivity of gases and main-chain cooperative motions in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Permeability and time-lag measurements for H₂ and CO in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticized with tricresyl phosphate show that the apparent diffusion coefficients at first decrease as the plas-ticizer concentration is increased. The diffusion coefficients then increase as the additive concentration is raised above 15 wt %. These changes in the apparent diffusion coefficients can be related to the behavior of a variety of mechanical properties and are attributed to antiplasticization and plasticization effects of low and high concentrations of tricresyl phosphate, respectively. The antiplasticization-plasticization effects reflect altered molecular motions of the polymer. Carbon-13 NMR rotating-frame relaxation rate measurements show directly that the cooperative main-chain molecular motions of PVC are reduced when the additive acts as an antiplasticizer and are increased when the polymer is plasticized. Both the apparent diffusion coefficient and the rotating-frame relaxation rate have a similar dependence on additive concentration. An application of the molecular theory of diffusion of Pace and Datyner accounts qualitatively for the way in which additives alter the average chain interaction energy, cooperative polymer main-chain motions, and the diffusion coefficients of gaseous penetrants.     

Preparation and characterization of rigid poly (vinyl chloride)/MMT nanocomposites

In this article, a Haake torque rheometer equipped with an internal mixer is used to study the influence of the amount of sodium montmorillonite (Na⁺‐MMT) and organically modified MMT (O‐MMT) on the characteristics of rigid poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/Na⁺‐MMT and PVC/O‐MMT nanocomposites, respectively. It is observed that the fusion time and temperature of the rigid PVC/Na⁺‐MMT nanocomposites are decreased with increasing the amount of Na⁺‐MMT. On the contrast, the fusion time and temperature of the rigid PVC/O‐MMT nanocomposites are increased with increasing the amount of O‐MMT. Results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicate that MMT is partially encapsulated and intercalated in the rigid PVC/Na⁺‐MMT nanocomposites. However, results of XRD and TEM show MMT is partially intercalated and exfoliated in the rigid PVC/O‐MMT nanocomposites. Tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation at break of the rigid PVC/MMT (including PVC/Na⁺‐MMT and PVC/O‐MMT) nanocomposites were improved simultaneously with adding 1–3 wt % Na⁺‐MMT or O‐MMT with respect to those of pristine PVC. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1465–1474, 2005