Abstract
As poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) photodegrades with long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, it is desirable to develop methods that enhance the photostability of PVC. In this study, new aromatic-rich diorganotin(IV) complexes were tested as photostabilizers in PVC films. The diorganotin(IV) complexes were synthesized in 79–86% yields by reacting excess naproxen with tin(IV) chlorides. PVC films containing 0.5 wt % diorganotin(IV) complexes were irradiated with ultraviolet light for up to 300 h, and changes within the films were monitored using the weight loss and the formation of specific functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl, and polyene). In addition, changes in the surface morphologies of the films were investigated. The diorganotin(IV) complexes enhanced the photostability of PVC, as the weight loss and surface roughness were much lower in the films with additives than in the blank film. Notably, the dimethyltin(IV) complex was the most efficient photostabilizer. The polymeric film containing this complex exhibited a morphology of regularly distributed hexagonal pores, with a honeycomb-like structure—possibly due to cross-linking and interactions between the additive and the polymeric chains. Various mechanisms, including direct absorption of ultraviolet irradiation, radical or hydrogen chloride scavenging, and polymer chain coordination, could explain how the diorganotin(IV) complexes stabilize PVC against photodegradation.
Highlights
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most important thermoplastic polymers produced on an industrial scale [1]
We have previously shown that various aromatic-rich Sn(IV) complexes can be used as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)
The weight loss of PVC during an irradiation process can be used as a measure of the level of photodegradation
Summary
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most important thermoplastic polymers produced on an industrial scale [1]. PVC photodegradation occurs mainly through an autocatalytic dehydrochlorination process This rocess has reasonably high activation energy that can be achieved under sunlight at a high temperature. We have previously shown that various aromatic-rich Sn(IV) complexes can be used as PVC photostabilizers [31,32,33] Such complexes can be used as carbon dioxide storage media owing to their high surface areas [34]. As a continuation of our work in the field of polymers [35,36,37,38,39,40,41], new Sn(IV) complexes containing naproxen, which is highly aromatic, were synthesized and their use as efficient photostabilizers to enhance the stability of PVC against UV irradiation were investigated. The addition of a low concentration (0.5 wt %) of these new Sn(IV) complexes to PVC films increased the photostability against long-term UV irradiation significantly
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