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Photodegradable vinyl plastics. III. Comparison of ultraviolet light and sunlight exposure
Author(s) -
Freedman Bernard
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1976.070200406
Subject(s) - photodegradation , sunlight , polyethylene , polypropylene , polystyrene , polymer , irradiation , ultraviolet , materials science , photochemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , ultraviolet light , polymer chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , photocatalysis , optics , telecommunications , physics , optoelectronics , computer science , nuclear physics
Polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) films, blended with additives to enhance photodegradability, were irradiated with UV light and sunlight. In almost every case, photodegradation was greater with outdoor exposure than under laboratory conditions. Explanations for the differences in degradation obtained by the two methods of irradiation are discussed. Based on IR measurements and molecular weight determinations, photo‐oxidative changes that occur in PS induced by UV light appear similar to those induced by sunlight. In addition to the additives previously reported, several new classes of photoinitiators were evaluated. These include selected halocarbonyl compounds, haloalkyl sulfur compounds, and halogen compounds containing certain electron‐withdrawing groups. The performance of the additives in vinyl polymer blends is discussed.