PVC Phase Research Articles

Tailoring the linear and nonlinear optical properties of PVC/PE blend polymer by insertion the spindle copper nanoparticles

PVC/PE polymer nanocomposites were synthesized with 0–3 wt% copper (Cu) nanoparticles via melt extrusion. XRD analysis showed characteristic peaks corresponding to crystalline PVC, PE, and Cu phases. FTIR confirmed the presence of signature vibrational modes of PVC and PE. Optical studies revealed tunable light absorption, refractive index, dielectric response, and bandgap by tailoring copper content. The composites displayed enhanced linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities, with potential applications in photonics. Optical absorption studies revealed a redshift in bandgap from 3.38 eV to 2.19 eV as Cu concentration increased from 0 to 3%, indicating enhanced visible light absorption. The real dielectric constant rose from 1.3527 to 1.4578 at 190 nm wavelength when Cu content was raised from 0 to 3%. Imaginary dielectric constant exhibited a stepwise enhancement from 2.43 × 10−3 to 3.97 × 10−3 at 190 nm with increasing Cu loading up to 3 %. The nonlinear refractive index varied from 1.2 × 10−8 cm2/W to 2.1 × 10−8 cm2/W across 500–900 nm wavelengths for 0–3% Cu. Meanwhile, the dispersion parameters including, the single oscillator energy (Eo) and the dispersion energy (Ed) were extracted. The relaxation time of the studied samples were extracted, which decreased after the insertion the nanofillers. The outcomes revealed that Cu nanoparticles' doped films favor a high-speed optoelectronic device more than the pristine film.The results demonstrate tunable optical and dielectric characteristics, underscoring the potential of Cu-based PVC/PE nanocomposites.

Constructing and validating ternary phase diagrams as basis for polymer dissolution recycling

One of the recycling methods for polymer waste is the dissolution-precipitation process, which is based on dissolving the polymer in a suitable solvent followed by contaminant removal by, optionally filtration, and polymer precipitation through the addition of a nonsolvent. As showcased for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a polymer used in the construction sector and for packaging, the current work makes clear that the less studied ternary phase diagrams are a very promising tool for the ideal solvent-nonsolvent selection. Such ternary phase diagrams provide compositional information concerning the phase separation process pushing forward the dissolution-precipitation recycling technology. It is demonstrated that these diagrams can be constructed by connecting the Flory-Huggins theory, Hansen solubility parameters and UNIQUAC activity coefficients. Model validation is performed via cloud point measurements for which one can utilize labour-intensive visual inspection or, as demonstrated in this work, one can also apply dynamic light scattering and turbidimetry, with the latter as the preferred method that is cheaper and faster. Ternary phase diagrams for multiple solvent-nonsolvent systems are theoretically constructed and experimentally validated, considering cyclohexanone-ethanol and THF-ethanol as solvent-nonsolvent pairs. It follows that PVC phase diagrams are inherently different compared to other, more commonly studied polymers, such as polyethersulfone (PES) and that for PVC the addition of a ternary interaction parameter might be required.

Impact of γ-irradiation and SBR content in the compatibility of aminated (PVC/LLDPE)/ZnO for improving their AC conductivity and oil removal

In some cases, blends containing PVC and LLDPE show low compatibility. Adding styrene-butadiene rubber to the PVC/LLDPE mixtures leads to a noticeable increase in tensile strength and compatibility of the blends. Also, an improvement in tensile strength is observed after incorporating SBR compatibilizer resulting in entirely different gamma irradiation doses. Without a compatibilizer, the mixture exhibits a distributed PVC and LLDPE phase with variable sizes and shapes; even a sizable portion of the domains resemble droplets. Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and gamma radiation make mixtures of (PVC/LLDPE) more compatible. The SEM study of the blends demonstrated that adding the compatibilizer resulted in finer blend morphologies with less roughness. At the same time, gamma irradiation reduced this droplet and gave a more smooth surface. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was chemically modified with four different amino compounds, including ethylene diamine (EDA), aniline (An), p-anisidine (pA) and dimethyl aniline (DMA) for improving the electric conductivity and oil removal capability of the blend polymer. All ionomers were prepared by nucleophilic substitution in a solvent/non-solvent system under mild conditions. This work novelty shows a sustainable route for producing oil adsorption materials by recycling plastic waste. After the amination process of poly(vinyl chloride) the oil adsorption was significantly enhanced.

Investigation of the Properties of Compositions Based on Modified Polymer Mixtures

The properties of vulcanized compositions based on mechanical mixtures of Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR)and Ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPTR)with PVC deteriorate compared to the properties of EPR and EPTRperoxide vulcanizers, which is explained by the poor mixing of PVC with these copolymers. In the extruder of the specified polymer mixtures -145 ° C, 36 MPa, n = 200 qra. The thermal and mechanical effects (MIC) under these conditions cause a significant improvement in the properties of the compositions based on these mixtures. The formation of EPR –PVC, and EPTR -PVX copolymers as a result of IMT in these polymer mixtures was confirmed by the construction of these copolymers with peroxide-free, PVC clusters with methemtal oxides - MgO, ZnO, and PbO (mass fraction 8-18). Modification of ethylene-propylene copolymers with PVC was carried out at a temperature higher than the flow temperature of PVC, which ensures its good dispersion in the mixture and chemical bonding with the elastomer phase, the effect of strengthening the elastic phase with the dispersed PVC phase occurs

PVC bead assisted selective dispersion of MWCNT for designing efficient electromagnetic interference shielding PVC/MWCNT nanocomposite with very low percolation threshold

The present study describes the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/MWCNT nanocomposites prepared by solution blending in the presence of PVC beads and their corresponding electrically conductivity. Commercial PVC beads were added to the high viscous media of solution blended PVC-MWCNT during solvent evaporation of the prepared PVC/MWCNT nanocomposite. Addition of PVC beads increased the EMI SE and electrical conductivity values of the nanocomposite compared to the PVC/MWCNT nanocomposite without any PVC beads. Additionally, both EMI SE and electrical conductivity were also increased with increasing content of PVC bead at constant MWCNT loading in the nanocomposite. The insulating PVC bead regions are free from any MWCNT and acts as dispersed domains (excluded volume) which enhances effective concentration of MWCNT in the continuous PVC phase of the nanocomposites, and thus, play the key role to lower the percolation threshold, enhance the EMI SE and electrical conductivity values of the nanocomposite. The nonconductive PVC bead region in the nanocomposite acts as excluded volume that attenuates the microwave energy through multiple internal reflections by creating an impedance mismatch in the nanocomposites.

Bio-based epoxidised oil for compatibilization and value addition of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in recycled blend

The effective utilization of bio-based material, epoxidised soybean oil (ESO), in recycled blend of Poly(vinyl chloride)/Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVC/PMMA) was considered for the first time in this present investigation. Recycled blend with different concentrations of ESO were prepared via melt blending technique. Resulted blends were characterized by various physiochemical, mechanical and thermal characterizations. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates reduction in the degradation behaviour of PVC phase present in the PVC/PMMA blend after introduction of ESO into it. The recycled blend with 9 wt% of ESO exhibit superior impact strength than other compositions. The thermal gravimetric analysis of ESO incorporated blend shows improved thermal stability than its parent blend. The DSC analysis shows improved compatibility of recycled blends in presence of ESO. Moreover the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis exhibits improved surface morphology with enhanced interfacial adhesion. Thus this study paves way for exploitation of bio derived ESO for value addition of recycled plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipments.

Compatibility and nonlinear viscoelasticity of polychloroprene/polyvinyl chloride blends with nitrile butadiene rubber as a compatibilizer

ABSTRACTMiscible polychloroprene/polyvinyl chloride (CR/PVC) blends with nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a compatibilizer were prepared. The effect of NBR on the compatibility between CR and PVC was mainly analyzed by studying the thermal behavior and the phase structure of CR/PVC blends. An obvious decrement in the Tg of PVC phase successfully provided an explanation for the compatibilization of NBR. Due to the improved compatibility between CR and PVC, the size of PVC particles in CR/PVC blends decreased a lot according to the scanning electronic microscopic images. The significant improvement of mechanical properties of CR/PVC blends was in good agreement with the better compatibility between CR and PVC phases. The softening effect of NBR on the nonlinear viscoelasticity of CR/PVC blends was also studied by RPA 2000. Temperature sweep test by RPA 2000, a less reported characterization method of Tg, was successfully applied to measure Tg of CR/PVC blends and study the compatibilization of NBR. The reason for better thermal stability and the thermal decomposition mechanism of CR/PVC blends were analyzed according to the results of TGA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42448.

Effect of nano-alumina concentration on the properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/thermoplastic polyester elastomer blend system

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/thermoplastic polyester elastomer (Hytrel) blend system prepared in 50/50 composition was found to have the highest possible percentage elongation-at-break. This is due to better molecular compatibility between the two; however, they had lower strength and modulus values. In order to improve the strength and modulus property, alumina nano-particles were added as a reinforcing agent in concentrations as 1, 3, 5, and 7 phr in the blend system. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized for mechanical, thermal, rheological, morphological, and electrical properties. The 5-phr nano-alumina loaded PVC/Hytrel blend had optimal improvement in its strength values, but above that concentration nano-alumina started forming aggregates as was apparent from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. SEM images showed uniform distribution of nano-alumina in both PVC and Hytrel phases of the blend. Tensile strength and modulus were found to have increased by about 20 and 97 %, respectively, whereas elongation at maximum load decreased by 50 %, indicating the effect of nano-alumina as a reinforcing agent in the PVC/Hytrel system. The glass transition temperature, onset degradation temperature, viscosity, surface resistivity and volume resistivity increased, whereas degradation weight loss (%) decreased with increase in nano-alumina concentration in PVC/Hytrel blend system. No chemical interaction happened between PVC, Hytrel or alumina nano-particles, as proved by FTIR analysis.

Evaluation of mechanical properties and physical interactions of a ternary blend of poly(ethylene‐co‐octene)/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)/poly(vinyl chloride) in the molten state

AbstractIn this work, ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate (EVA), poly(ethylene‐co‐octene) (POE), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends were processed in a molten state process using a corotating twin‐screw extruder to assess both the balance of mechanical properties and physical interactions in the melt state. Tensile measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and oscillatory rheometry were performed. By means of flow curves, the parameters of the power law as well as the distribution of relaxation times were assessed with the aid of a nonlinear regularization method. The mechanical properties for the EVA‐POE blend approximated the values for POE, while inclusion of PVC shifted the modulus values to those of neat EVA. The rise in modulus was corroborated by the PVC phase dispersion as solid particles that act as a reinforcement for the ternary blend. The rheological properties in the molten state show that the POE does not present molecular entanglement effects and so tends both to diminish the EVA mechanical properties and increase the fluidity of the blend. However, the addition of PVC both restored the EVA typical pseudoplastic feature and promoted the increase in the viscosity and the mechanical properties of the ternary blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Kinetics and mechanism of formation of adhesive joints based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers

The structure of transient zones in PVC-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), PET-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), and steel-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) adhesion systems is studied. It is shown that PET-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) and PVC-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) are related in incompatible and partially compatible systems, respectively. In the temperature range 100–180°C, diffusion coefficients and the activation energy of diffusion are determined. The depth of penetration of copolymer macromolecules into the PVC phase is calculated. The kinetics of adhesive-joint formation is studied. For all systems, the increase in joint strength has a common character; for each temperature, the steady state is attained. The results are analyzed in terms of wetting and diffusion theories. Both models satisfactorily describe the kinetics of joint formation in compatible and incompatible systems (including steel-poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate). The effective activation energy of the kinetics of adhesive-joint formation is determined and compared with the activation energies of diffusion, the viscous flow of copolymers, the β transition, and the rate of conformation rearrangements in the surface layers of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. It is suggested that the data obtained can be generalized in terms of the Bikerman theory of a “weak boundary layer.”

Enhancement of mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) with polymethyl methacrylate-grafted halloysite nanotube

Halloysite nanotubes(HNTs) grafted with Polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) were synthesized via radical poly- merization. The properties of PMMA-grafted HNTs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that PMMA grafted to the surfaces of HNTs successfully. Then, PVC/PMMA-grafted HNTs nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding. The morphology, mechanical properties and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. PMMA-grafted HNTs can effectively improve the toughness, strength and modulus of PVC. The glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures of PVC phase in PVC/PMMA-grafted HNTs nanocomposites are shifted toward slightly higher temperatures. The grafted HNTs were uniformly dispersed in PVC matrix as revealed by TEM photos. The fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites exhibited plastic deformation feature indi- cating ductile fracture behaviors. The improvement of toughness of PVC by PMMA-grafted HNTs was attributed to the improved interfacial bonding by grafting and the toughening mechanism was explained according to the cavitation mecha- nism.

The Effect of OMMT on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of PVC/ABS Blends

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) blends containing organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared using a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. The OMMT dispersion was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The clay was preferentially situated in the PVC phase and across the interfaces of PVC/ABS. The effect of the addition of OMMT on the morphology and mechanical properties was also evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a large reduction in domain size when OMMT was used. The mechanical properties were studied through tensile and impact tests. The yield stress increased when an appropriate amount of OMMT was used without impairing the impact strength.

Degradation mechanism and mechanical properties of PVC in PVC‐PE melt blends: Effects of molecular architecture, content, and MFI of PE

AbstractThermal degradation mechanism and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in PVC–polyethylene (PE) mixtures with varying types, contents, and melt flow indexes of the PE were studied. The degradation behavior was investigated in terms of decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature, polyene index, and morphology of the PVC in the mix. The results suggested that adding small amounts of PE (5 phr) in PVC‐PE mixtures could thermally stabilize the PVC, as noted by an increase in its decomposition temperature. At higher PE loading, the PVC encountered more degradation as a result of a consumption of the heat stabilizer by PE radicals and the dehydrochlorination reaction. A radical transfer reaction was proposed to explain the degradation mechanism of the PVC in the PVC‐PE melt, specifically a progressive increase of the glass transition temperature of the PVC in the mix as a result of increasing PE content. The PVC‐PE blend using HDPE with high MFI exhibited more pronounced thermal and structural changes of PVC. The mechanical properties of the PVC‐PE blend were very much dependent on the PE content, but slightly affected by the type and MFI value of the PE. The dispersion level of the PE in the PVC phase was found to play an important role in affecting the mechanical properties of the PVC‐PE mixtures. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL. 12:115–123, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effects of compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust content on the mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend

AbstractThis article aimed to investigate the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend with and without the addition of compatibilizers. The effects of LDPE content, compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust loading on the properties of the blend were evaluated. The experimental results suggested that as the LDPE content was increased the mechanical properties of PVC‐LDPE blend progressively decreased due to poor interfacial adhesion. The continuity and compatibility between PVC and LDPE phases could be improved through three different types of compatibilizers which included chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) poly(methyl‐methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (PA20) and poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylate) (Elvaloy). The PA20 was found to be the most suitable compatibilizer for the blend. A radical transfer reaction was proposed in this work to explain the structure and thermal changes of the PVC in PVC‐LDPE blend. The decomposition temperature of PVC in the blend decreased with the loading of the PA20 and the wood sawdust. As the sawdust content was increased the tensile and flexural moduli increased with considerable decreased in the tensile, flexural and impact strength, a slight improvement being achieved if the PA20 was incorporated in the composite. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 598–606, 2006

Structure and thermal properties of exfoliated PVC/layered silicate nanocomposites via in situ polymerization

The exfoliated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ intercalated polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) in the presence of organic-intercalated montmorillonite (OMMT). Their structures and thermal properties were characterized. The results showed that layered silicates are well exfoliated and uniformly distributed in PVC matrix during in situ intercalated polymerization of VC in the presence of OMMT. The glass transition temperatures of PVC phases in the PVC/MMT nanocomposites are all lower than that of pristine PVC due to the incorporation of the exfoliated silicate layers in PVC matrix. The 5% mass loss temperature (T5%), the dehydrochlorination temperature (Tmax1) of the PVC matrix decreased due to the free and interlayer water in MMT, the low thermal stability, and the enhanced dehydrochlorination of the PVC matrix by alkyl ammonium pre-treated MMT. However, the thermal decomposition temperature of the dehydrochlorinated PVC (Tmax2) and char at 600°C are slightly increased in the presence of silicate layers.

Development and characterization of reactive extruded PVC/polyacrylate blends

AbstractThis paper describes a method to obtain polymer blends by the absorption of a liquid solution of monomer, initiator, and a crosslinking agent in suspension type porous poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) particles, forming a dry blend. These PVC/monomer dry blends are reactively polymerized in a twin‐screw extruder to obtain the in situ polymerization in a melt state of various blends: PVC/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVC/PMMA), PVC/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVC/PVAc), PVC/poly(butyl acrylate) (PVC/PBA) and PVC/poly(ethylhexyl acrylate) (PVC/PEHA). Physical PVC/PMMA blends were produced, and the properties of those blends are compared to reactive blends of similar compositions.Owing to the high polymerization temperature (180°C), the polymers formed in this reactive polymerization process have low molecular weight. These short polymer chains plasticize the PVC phase reducing the melt viscosity, glass transition and the static modulus. Reactive blends of PVC/PMMA and PVC/PVAc are more compatible than the reactive PVC/PBA and PVC/PEHA blends. Reactive PVC/PMMA and PVC/PVAc blends are transparent, form single phase morphology, have single glass transition temperature (Tg), and show mechanical properties that are not inferior than that of neat PVC.Reactive PVC/PBA and PVC/PEHA blends are incompatible and two discrete phases are observed in each blend. However, those blends exhibit single glass transition owing to low content of the dispersed phase particles, which is probably too low to be detected by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) as a separate Tg value. The reactive PVC/PEHA show exceptional high elongation at break (∼90%) owing to energy absorption optimized at this dispersed particle size (0.2–0.8 µm). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Study on morphology of compatibilized poly (vinyl chloride)/ultrafine polyamide‐6 blends by styrene–maleic anhydride

AbstractUltrafine polyamide‐6 (UPA6) with a size of 4–8 μm was prepared via jet‐milling. Blends of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and UPA6 using a reactive copolymer styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA‐18%) were prepared. The change in morphology and structure of the blends were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The blend behavior was also determined experimentally using dynamic mechanical analysis. Contrasted to the original PA6, the crystallinity of the UPA6 decreased, the size of its crystallites were reduced, and its melting point decreased to 175°C. In all blends, PVC formed the continuous matrix phase. SMA is miscible with PVC and tends to be dissolved in the PVC phase during the earlier stages of blending. The dissolved SMA has the opportunity to react with PA6 at the interface to form the desirable SMA‐g‐PA6 copolymer. This in situ formed SMA‐g‐PA6 graft copolymer tends to anchor along the interface to reduce the interfacial tension and results in finer phase domains. Cocrystallity existed in PVC/(UPA6/SMA) at a ratio of 82/(18/5). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 850–854, 2005

Rheological and mechanical properties of PVC/CaCO 3 nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) in the presence of CaCO 3 nanoparticles. Their thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), capillary rheometry, tensile and impact fracture tests. The results showed that CaCO 3 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the PVC matrix during in situ polymerization of VC with 5.0 wt% or less nanoparticles. The glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures of PVC phase in PVC/CaCO 3 nanocomposites are shifted toward higher temperatures by the restriction of CaCO 3 nanoparticles on the segmental and long-range chain mobility of the PVC phase. The nanocomposites showed shear thinning and power law behaviors. The ‘ball bearing’ effect of the spherical nanoparticles decreased the apparent viscosity of the PVC/CaCO 3 nanocomposite melts, and the viscosity sensitivity on shear rate of the PVC/CaCO 3 nanocomposite is higher than that of pristine PVC. Moreover, CaCO 3 nanoparticles stiffen and toughen PVC simultaneously, and optimal properties were achieved at 5 wt% of CaCO 3 nanoparticles in Young's modulus, tensile yield strength, elongation at break and Charpy notched impact energy. Detailed examinations of micro-failure micromechanisms of impact and tensile specimens showed that the CaCO 3 nanoparticles acted as stress raisers leading to debonding/voiding and deformation of the matrix material around the nanoparticles. These mechanisms also lead to impact toughening of the nanocomposites.

Micromechanical properties on the surface of PVC/SBR blends spatially resolved by a nanoindentation technique

AbstractThe microhardness and micromodulus on the surface of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) blends were determined using a nanoindenter. A flat surface was obtained by microtoming the sample at −100°C in liquid nitrogen. Dozens of indents along a line with a spatial interval of 0.5 μm were performed. From the loading and unloading curves of each indentation, the stiffnesses of the unloading curve and the contact area between the sample and the indenter were evaluated, and the local modulus and hardness were calculated. Profiles of the local hardness and modulus were obtained from the lines of indents. Pure PVC and a miscible PVC/acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) (40/10) blend showed constant modulus and hardness values. In the case of an immiscible PVC/SBR (50/50) blend, which has a morphology of elongated PVC droplets in the SBR matrix, the hardness and modulus profiles showed regions of the different phases. At the interface between the SBR and PVC phases, a step change in the modulus and hardness profiles was observed. The force required to deform the material at the same displacement increased systematically across the interface from the SBR to the PVC phase because of the increasing contribution of the PVC phase. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:609–614, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Development of plasticised PVC sensing films for the determination of BTEX compounds in aqueous samples

A novel plasticised PVC polymer membrane as a sensing film for the determination of BTEX compounds using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is demonstrated. A range of 10 plasticised PVC phases have been investigated using toluene and tetrachloroethylene as test analytes. Both analyte enrichment rates and infrared absorbance values were considered when choosing a suitable polymer for sensing. An enhancement in analyte absorbance at the characteristic IR absorption bands was noted as the plasticiser concentration in the film was increased. 2% PVC with 75% diisooctyl azelate was found to show promising results for simultaneous determination of the BTEX compounds. All BTEX analytes can be measured in less than 8 min. A study of a multicomponent sample demonstrated that analyte enrichment times were influenced by the presence of even one additional analyte component in the sample.