Abstract
The photostabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films in the presence of 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoate metal complexes (0.5 wt%) was investigated at room temperature under ultraviolet radiation (
λ
=
320
nm
) for 300 h. The changes in various functional groups indices, viscosity average molecular weight and quantum yield of the chain scission of PVC films were monitored upon irradiation. The metal complexes used showed decreases in PVC films photodegradation. The quantum yield for the chain scission was measured exhibiting a range of
2.054
×
10
-
6
and
1.005
×
10
-
7
. The photostabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) in the presence of metal complexes was in the order
ZnL
2
(
H
2
O
)
2
<
CdL
2
(
H
2
O
)
2
<
CuL
2
<
SnL
2
(
H
2
O
)
2
<
NiL
2
(
H
2
O
)
2
. The metal complexes can act as hydrogen chloride scavengers, UV absorbers, peroxide decomposers and also as radical scavengers to enhance PVC photostability.