Abstract
Superior plasticization efficiency was achieved by a grafting from functionalization of the PVC backbone. This was deduced to a synergistic effect of internal plasticization and improved intermolecular interactions between PVC and an oligomeric poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) plasticizer. A mild grafting process for functionalization of the PVC chain by crotonic acid (CA) or acrylic acid (AA) was used. The formation of PVC-g-CA and PVC-g-AA was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR. Grafting with the seemingly similar monomers, CA and AA, resulted in different macromolecular structures. AA is easily homopolymerized and long hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) grafts are formed resulting in branched materials. Crotonic acid does not easily homopolymerize; instead, single crotonic acid units are located along the PVC chain, leading to basically linear PVC chains with pendant crotonic acid groups. The elongation of PVC-g-CA and PVC-g-AA in comparison to pure PVC were greatly increased from 6% to 128% and 167%, respectively, by the grafting reactions. Blending 20% (w/w) PBSA with PVC, PVC-AA or PVC-CA further increased the elongation at break to 150%, 240% and 320%, respectively, clearly showing a significant synergistic effect in the blends with functionalized PVC. This is a clearly promising milestone towards environmentally friendly flexible PVC materials.
Highlights
Applying green chemistry to polymers entails e.g., replacing petroleum with renewable resources, developing methods to create materials under benign conditions, and ensuring that the materials are non-toxic during usage as well as at end-of-life
The elongation of Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-g-crotonic acid (CA) and PVC-g-acrylic acid (AA) in comparison to pure PVC were greatly increased from 6% to 128% and 167%, respectively, by the grafting reactions
The blend properties and the effect of of functionalization were evaluated by comparing the material properties to those of plain PVC/poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA)
Summary
Applying green chemistry to polymers entails e.g., replacing petroleum with renewable resources, developing methods to create materials under benign conditions, and ensuring that the materials are non-toxic during usage as well as at end-of-life. This effort will be essential for reaching a sustainable society. (PVC) is one of the most common and versatile polymeric materials with applications varying from rigid pipes and window frames to floorings, wallpapers, cables, packaging and medical products This wide range of products is possible due to the relatively easy material modification by blending with additives or other polymers. These phthalate esters can migrate from the materials during use [1]
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