The Effect of Hydrotalcite and Zinc Oxide on Smoke Suppression of Commercial Rigid PVC

To reduce the smoke release of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) during burning, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and zinc oxide (ZnO) powders were used to modify the polymer. The results indicated that the addition of LDHs‐ZnO had a significant effect on smoke suppression. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) reached a maximum value and the smoke density rank (SDR) exhibited a minimum value when the weight percentages of LDHs and ZnO in PVC were 3% and 2%, respectively. Thermal stabilities of the modified PVC and degradation products were investigated by means of thermogravimetry and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectra (Py‐GC‐MS). The LDHs‐ZnO obviously accelerated the decomposition of PVC to release hydrogen chloride, and the decomposed PVC consequently produced the trans‐conjugated polyene sequences, which easily formed crosslinked structures. However, a cyclization reaction in PVC chain without the additives produced aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and naphthalene at 350°C. Even though, an amount of aromatic compounds was released from the PVC modified with LDHs‐ZnO at the temperature of 600°C, the content of the decomposed products is relatively lower compared to unmodified PVC.     

Al(OH)3和Mg(OH)2对PVC热解特性的影响研究

利用热重分析仪并借助电导率测定法探讨了Al(OH)3和Mg(OH)2对PVC热解特性的影响,简要分析了其机理。结果表明:加入Al(OH)3和Mg(OH)2后均能增加PVC体系在第一阶段的最大热解速率和残炭量,最大热解速率增加约1倍,残炭量增加约4倍。并且分解产生的结晶水吸收大量的热量,惰性金属氧化物也有利于成核、炭层生长和凝聚,有着明显的阻燃和抑烟作用。HCl毒性气体的释放主要集中在体系的第一阶段,Al(OH)3能促使HCl提前释放,HCl的释放总量增加,Mg(OH)2也能促使HCl提前释放,但HCl的释放总量却是减少的。     

Influence of polyesterurethane plasticizer on the kinetics of poly(vinyl chloride) decomposition process

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), plasticized by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), medium molecular mass polyesterurethane (PU) or by both plasticizers, was thermally degraded under dynamic thermogravimetric conditions and the kinetics of decomposition was studied by isoconversional methods and by non-linear regression. It has been found that the initial decomposition temperature is higher for PVC plasticized with PU, as compared with PVC plasticized with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or plasticized with PU/DEHP, and thermal degradation shows features of a multi-step complex process. Application of polymeric plasticizer leads to the increase and a 'smoothing' effect in the course of energy of activation and pre-exponential factor at the initial stage of decomposition indicating thus the hindered migration of medium molecular mass compound from PVC matrix (in comparison with PVC containing monomeric DEHP) due to steric hindrances as well as due to specific interactions between C=O and Cl groups along the macrochains. Kinetic model function of the decomposition process of PVC/DEHP and PVC/DEHP/PU blends was found to be a two-stage autocatalyzed reaction of n^th order; autocatalytic effect is associated most likely with the role of HCl formed during PVC decomposition. For PVC/PU blend best fit was found by non-linear regression for a two-stage scheme in which first stage was Prout-Tompkins model and the second was autocatalytical model of n^th order - the first one involves particle disintegration, which was promoted by product generation at branching PVC 'pseudo-crystals' nuclei, thus exposing more surface on which decomposition reaction proceeds.     

Heat Degradation of PVC Stabilized by Treatment with Alkylaluminum Compounds

Thermal degradation of PVC treated with alkylaluminum compounds has been studied. Four PVC samples of different molecular weights have been treated with Me₃Al, and Et₃A₁, and the dehydrochlorination rates of the polymers were determined at 190 and 220°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The alkylaluminum-treated low molecular weight samples show marked increase in thermal stability, i. e., slower rate of dehydrochlorination right from the beginning of degradation, whereas with the higher molecular weight samples stabilization becomes pronounced only after a few percent of dehydrochlorination. The color of R₃Al-treated samples was much lighter (yellowish) than those of controls (dark brown) at 1% HCl loss. The average polyene sequence lengths formed during the early stages of dehydrochlorination are found to be much shorter with RsAl-treated PVC than with virgin samples. It appears as though polyene sequences which arose by zipping- initiation from allylic and/or tertiary chlorine sites are longer than those which form by random initiation along the chain. The autocatalytic (i. e., HC1-catalyzed) dehydrochlorination observed with virgin PVC disappears after treatment with R3A1. The HCl-catalyzed dehydrochlorination is minimized when thin films are used instead of powdery samples, which may be due to higher rates of HC1 diffusion through thin films. Autocatalysis of dehydrochlorination is affected by the concentrations of double bonds and HCl and the length of polyene sequences. Interaction between polyenes and HC1 by hydrogen transfer may lead to the re-initiation of unzipping, thus lengthening the polyene sequences.     

Kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

Extensively studied thermal degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) occurs with formation of free hydrogen chloride and conjugated double bonds absorbing light in visible region. Thermogravimetric monitoring of PVC blends degradation kinetics by the loss of HCl is often complicated by evaporation and degradation of plasticizers and additives. Spectroscopic PVC degradation kinetics monitoring by absorbance of forming conjugated polyenes is specific and should not be affected by plasticizers loss. The kinetics of isothermal degradation monitored by thermal gravimetric analysis in real time was compared with batch data obtained by UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy. Effects of plasticizer on kinetics of polyene formation were examined. Thermal degradation of PVC films plasticized with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 1,2,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, tri-(3-ethylhexyl) ester (TOTM) was monitored by conjugated double bonds light absorption at 350 nm at 160, 180, and 200 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation kinetics and that of plasticized films were also obtained thermogravimetrically at temperatures ranging from 160 to 220 °C. Plasticizer-free PVC powder degradation and spectroscopically monitored degradation of plasticized PVC films occurred with the same apparent activation energy of ≈150 kJ mol⁻¹. No difference in degradation kinetics of films plasticized with DEHP and TOTM was detected.     

Waste poly(vinyl chloride) pyrolysis with hydrogen chloride abatement by steelmaking dust

Experimental study on PVC-based materials (PVC = poly(vinyl chloride)) pyrolysis; in the presence of various amounts of steelmaking dust was performed. Dust from steel manufacture employing zinc plated scrap contains a considerable amount of zinc oxide (ZnO) and its utilization in metallurgy is quite complicated. However, the dust can react with hydrogen chloride (HCl) released from heated PVC in the temperature range of 200–400°C. Material balance of the pyrolysis process was studied by thermogravimetry, and the data obtained were compared with the results of larger laboratory oven experiments. In excess of PVC, the amount of captured HCl stoichiometrically corresponds to the content of ZnO; additional HCl is probably captured by FeCl₂, while FeCl₃ is not formed at elevated temperatures. In excess of the dust, the captured amount of HCl is approximately 100%. The suggested co-pyrolysis seems to be a promising method to prevent the formation of dangerous chlorinated organic compounds during the thermal treatment of waste PVC. Furthermore, the obtained ZnCl₂ is a valuable material and the zinc depleted dust can be reused in metallurgy instead of its disposal.     

Investigations on poly(vinyl chloride). II. Pyrolysis of chlorinated polybutadienes as model compounds for poly(vinyl chloride)

The pyrolysis of chlorinated polybutadienes (CPB) was investigated by using a pyrolysis gas chromatograph. CPB corresponds to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) constructed with head–head and tail–tail linkages of the vinyl chloride unit. Benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, o-xylene, styrene, vinyltoluene, chlorobenzenes, naphthalene, and methylnaphthalenes were detected in the pyrolysis products from CPB above 300°C, and no hydrocarbons could be detected at 200°C. The pyrolysis products from CPB were similar to those from PVC and new products could not be detected. Lower aliphatics, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, chlorobenzenes, and methylnaphthalenes were released more easily from pyrolysis of CPB than from PVC; amounts of benzene, styrene, and naphthalene formed were small. These results support the conclusion that recombination of chlorine atoms with the double bonds in the polyene chain takes place and that scission of the main chain may depend on the location of methylene groups isolated along the polyene chain during the thermal decomposition of PVC.     

Degradation of PVCs obtained by controlled chemical dehydrochlorination

Thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)s (PVCs) containing increased concentrations of allylic chlorines, PVC(A)s, prepared by controlled chemical dehydrochlorination with potassium-t-butoxide (t-BuOK) have been studied. The introduction of small amounts of internal allylic chlorines into PVC significantly decreases the thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of the resin. A linear relationship exists between the initial rates (V_HCl)₀ of thermal and thermooxidative dehydrochlorination of solid PVC(A)s and the concentration S of internal allylic chlorines. Both the slope and the intercept of the thermo-oxidative (V_HCl)₀ vs. S plot are higher in oxygen than those obtained in nitrogen at the same temperature; this finding is attributed to fast oxidation of polyenes, and to peroxy radicals formed during polyene oxidation, which initiate subsequent HCl loss by attacking normal repeat units in PVC. The extent of HCl loss as a function of time during thermal degradation of PVC(A)s in intert solvent shows a rapid initial phase followed by a slower stationary phase. The first phase is due to dehydrochlorination involving the labile chlorines, while the stationary phase indicates random initiation of HCl loss at normal? CH₂? CHCl? repeat units. Initial rates of HCl loss increase with S, while the rates of HCl loss during the stationary phase are independent of S. The rate constant of initiation of HCl loss at internal allylic chlorines is almost four orders of magnitude higher than that of random initiation; however, the former is still orders of magnitude lower than that of chain propagation. Quantitative analysis of UV-visible spectra of PVC(A)s degraded in solution suggests geometric polyene distribution. The average length of polyenes decreases as the extent of HCl loss increases and reaches a constant value of ca. 3 at ca. 1% HCl loss for all the investigated PVC(A) samples.     

Hyphenation of a thermobalance to soft single photon ionisation mass spectrometry for evolved gas analysis in thermogravimetry (TG-EGA)

The potential of hyphenating thermogravimetry (TG) and soft photo ionisation mass spectrometry (EBEL-SPI-MS) for fundamental and applied research and material analysis has been demonstrated by a newly developed TG-SPI quadrupole MS coupling (TG-SPI-QMS). Thermal decomposition of three common plastics, polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) has been studied. While the decomposition of PE and PS in inert atmosphere takes place in a one step process (main mass loss at about 490 and 420 °C, respectively), PVC decomposes in a two step mechanism. The organic signature of the PE decomposition shows homologous series of alkenes and polyenes, while PS is forming mainly styrene mono- and oligomers. In the PVC decomposition, firstly hydrogen chloride (HCl) is eliminated in a hydro-dechlorination reaction (1st mass loss step: 285–305 °C), this is accompanied by the emission of the carbon skeletons of small aromatics (predominately benzene and naphthalene). In the second step (2nd mass loss step: 490–510 °C), the residual cross-linked polyolefin moieties decompose under release of heavily alkylated aromatics, including larger PAH. Chlorinated aromatics are formed only in trace levels.     

The effect of thermal processing on PVC—VI. The role of hydrogen chloride

The reaction between cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and anhydrous hydrogen chloride under various conditions of temperature and concentration has been studied in an inert solvent (chlorobenzene) and in an oxidisable medium (cumene). The kinetics were first order with respect to each reactant; the energy of activation of the overall second-order reaction was 53.4 kJ mol^?1 K^?1. Competing ionic and free radical mechanisms were found to operate, the latter predominating at relatively high HCl concentrations, leading to rapid pro-oxidation in cumene. The effect of typical organo-tin PVC stabilizers on the pro-oxidant process were examined. It was found that dibutyltin maleate neutralized the HCl thus eliminating the pro-oxidant effect when used in stoichiometric proportions, but had little other effect. Dioctyltin bis(isol-octylthioglycollate) on the other hand not only neutralized the HCl stoichiometrically but gave additional oxidative stabilization over a wide concentration range.     

Correlation of thermal degradation mechanisms: Polyacetylene and vinyl and vinylidene polymers

The thermal degradation of poly(vinyl bromide) (PVB), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF), poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVC₂), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) has been studied by direct pyrolysis–mass spectrometry (DP-MS) and flash pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. Vinyl and vinylidene polymers exhibit two competitive thermal degradation processes: (1) HX elimination with formation of polyene sequences which undergo further moleculaar rearrangements, and (2) main-chain cleavage with formation of halogenated or oxigenated compounds. The overall thermal degradation process depends on the prevailing decomposition reaction in each polymer; therefore, different behaviors are observed. The thermal degradation of polyacetylene (PA) has also been studied and found important for the elucidation of the thermal decomposition mechanism of the title polymers.     

Solution decomposition of poly(vinylidene chloride): Effect of solvent and evolved HCl

The effect of HCl on the rate of thermal decomposition of poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) in nitrobenzene solution was measured with the object of determining the catalytic activity of HCl. Unlike those reports dealing with PVC decompositions, this study shows that in the absence of a cocatalyst, molecular HCl does not catalyze the decomposition of PVDC. In the presence of metals which can react with HCl to form Lewis acids (e.g., Fe⁰), a strong accelerating effect was observed. The uncatalyzed reaction shows a large rate increase with increasing polarity of the solvent, suggesting that in nitrobenzene the decomposition is mainly heterolytic in nature.     

Color Stabilization of Polyvinyl Chloride) with Heat Treatment

Stabilization of polyvinyl chloride) (PVC) containing metal soaps was investigated by psychophysical colorimetry. A color difference observed among heated PVC films containing various metal salts depends on coloration of the π-complex of polyene with metal chloride converted from the metal salt added and that the stabilization effect of synergistic soaps should be based on an effect of complementary colors set up among a polyene color and metal chloride-polyene complex colors. These conclusions are well supported by colorimetry of heated PVC films containing various dyes. The color of heated PVC films containing Zn/Ca and Cd/Ba synergetic soaps markedly deviated from a polyene color with increased heat treatments, owing to greater degree of coloration of Zn complex and Cd complex, respectively. These color deviations usually decrease the thermal stability of PVC. The thermal stability of PVC was markedly improved by the use of synergetic soaps together with masking agent such as triethanolamine, urea, N,N′-dimethylol-urea, and vinylpyridine-methylmethacrylate copolymer, owing to the masking effect of these nitrogen-containing compounds. These masking agents did not slow down the dehydrochlorination of PVC.     

Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) synthesized with a titanocene catalyst

PVC was synthesized using a trichloroindenyltitanium-methylaluminoxane catalyst at room temperature, and its degradation was monitored along with a commercial sample at 160, 170 and 180 °C under air or nitrogen atmosphere. The process was followed by HCl evolution, yellowing index, colour formation and thermogravimetric analysis. The produced polymer had a lower molecular weight and higher surface area, compared with a commercial PVC, while ¹H NMR and T_g values show minimal differences between materials. The HCl evolution degradation studies indicate that produced PVC has a lower thermal resistance than commercial PVC, while TGA reveals the opposite behaviour. Yellowing index and colour evaluation give evidence that nitrogen atmosphere and high surface area in produced PVC allow the polyene growth, whereas low surface area and air atmosphere generate shorter polyenes and chromophoric species. Differences in degradation performance are thought to be due to chemical origin, inherent morphology and differences in instrumentation.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of PVC/ELNR blends

The thermal behaviour of a series of solution-cast blends of polyvinyl chloride/epoxidised liquid natural rubber (ELNR) of different mole percentage of epoxidation has been examined using thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal degradation is found to occur through a two-step route in which the first step corresponds to the dehydrochlorination of PVC to form a polyene and the second step is attributed to the decomposition of the ELNR and the polyene. Introduction of 20 and 50 mol% of epoxy group into the liquid NR is found to enhance the thermal stability of PVC. Probable mechanisms of degradation have been suggested on the basis of the kinetic analysis of the degradation studies. It is found that the mechanism is influenced by the epoxy content of the blend system. Activation energy for the degradation and the entropy change have also been reported.     

Novel preparation of electrically conducting poly (vinyl chloride) by photo-dehydrochlorination from poly (vinyl chloride)/polypyrrole composite film

Polypyrrole (PPy) was deposited electrochemically on a platinum plate from a nitric acid solution of pyrrole. The PVC/PPy composite film was finally obtained by casting poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) onto the PPy electrode from a tetrahydrofuran solution of PVC. The prepared composite film was irradiated at 90°C with a low-pressure mercury lamp in the stream of hydrogen gas saturated with steam, and the PVC film was dehydrochlorinated, leading to the formation of conjugated polyene. The electrical conductivity (σ) of the PVC film in the irradiated composite film was reveled: σ=2.51 × 10^?5S cm^?1. By iodine doping, σ was further enhanced up to 5.04 X 10^?3 S cm^?1. The tensile strength of the irradiated composite film became larger than that of the original PVC film; i.e., the stress at break was: 461 (composite film); 401 kg cm^?2 (PVC). These results were brought about by the doping of radical species to the conjugated polyene. The anion, NO^?₃, doped during the electrodeposition of PPy was photodecomposed to generate radical NO₂ and this species was doped to the polyene, resulting in the formation of electrically conductive PVC and mechanically improved composite film. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

X-射线光电子能谱(ESCA)研究聚氯乙烯固体表面的紫外光分解反应

本文用X-射线光电子能谱(ESCA)方法探讨了聚氯乙烯(PVC)在不同环境下紫外光辐照所引起表面组成的变化。从所得结果推断:常温下PVC在大气环境中的光分解主要是光氧化反应,而在惰性气氛中主要是碳-氯键断裂释出氯化氢。由此可见,PVC的光分解反应,实际上与样品所处气氛是密切相关的。     

Mechanism of action of some stabilizers in the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)

The dehydrochlorination of PVC under vaccum has been studied at 170–200°C by a volumetric method. The accelerating effect of HCl is related to its interaction with the forming polyene units of macromolecules. A mechanism is proposed. The effects of various stabilizers, such as organic salts of Ca, Ba, Cd, trialkyl- and dialkyltin, trialkyl phosphites, and mixtures of phosphites with metal salts upon the rate of dehydrochlorination, polymer crosslinking, and electron absorption spectra of PVC during degradation in evacuated ampoules were investigated. The stabilizing activity of these compounds depends primarily on the effectivity of absorption of HCl and destruction of polyene units by these compounds.     

TG-MS analysis of nitrile butadiene rubber blends (NBR/PVC)

Blends of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are widely used in products such as hoses and seals. As part of a project that uses NBR/PVC blends for manufacturing forest fire hoses, blends of NBR/PVC with various inorganic fillers, such as Mg(OH)₂, china clay (organic modified kaolin) and nano clay (organic modified bentonite) were studied by TG-MS. No significant changes were observed to the type of the polymers’ decomposition products, compared to that of NBR/PVC blend without additives. The most remarkable change was the absence of HCl from decomposition products in the presence of the Mg(OH)₂ additive.     

Photo-oxidation of poly(vinyl chloride)

The photo-oxidation of PVC has been studied over the temperature range 30–150°C. Initiation with ultraviolet (2537A) radiation has been correlated with the presence of minute amounts of ozone. The contribution of atomic oxygen and singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g) molecules to the initiation mechanism is discussed. The β-chloroketones probably formed in the photo-oxidation of PVC, decomposed according to a Norrish type I reaction without loss of chlorine atoms. The gaseous products of the photo-oxidation of PVC at 30°C were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. Hydrogen chloride was obtained only when PVC was heated at high temperatures. When PVC was photo-oxidized and then heated at high temperature, benzene was obtained in addition to hydrogen chloride. The gaseous products from the photo-oxidations of model compounds, such as 4-chloro-2-butanone and 2,4-dichloropentane, were also compared with those from PVC. Hydrogen chloride was detected only after photo-oxidation at temperatures of 25°C or higher. Therefore, it was concluded that hydrogen chloride is mainly a product of thermal decomposition. Since unsaturation was not observed in photo-oxidized PVC films, the cause of discoloration is unclear. When PVC was modified by stabilizers or additives, the oxidative degradation was further complicated by side reactions with the additives.