Influence of thiobisphenols on the photo-oxidation of low density polyethylene

The influence of thiobisphenols, some products of their thermo-oxidative transformation and model compounds on the photo-oxidation of low density polyethylene (Ld PE) has been studied. Thiobisphenols are found to have a pro-oxidant effect in the early period of exposure, which increases with their concentration. On the other hand, the carbonyl build up was retarded in a later irradiation period. Similar effects have been observed with some thiobisphenol transformation products, bis(3,5-di-tert. butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) sulphide and its oxidation products, sulphoxide and sulphone, respectively, and model 4,4′-methylenebis(2-methyl-6-tert. butylphenol). Dodecyl 3,3′-thiodipropionate retarded the carbonyl build up during the whole period of ultraviolet irradiation. Kinetic data show that a concentration of 0·1% by weight of thiobisphenols is the most effective in retarding the carbonyl build up in Ld PE films. The formation of non-alcoholic oxygenated structures seems to be a specific effect of the sulphur containing compounds under study.