Abstract Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic notable for its lack of biodegradability and harmful emissions during deterioration, has potential to be molecularly adjusted by Photo-Oxidative Ultraviolet (UV) Degradation. This research investigates the influence of electron beam irradiation and near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced photothermal treatment utilizing gold nanoparticles on PVC plastic in order to establish the optimized molecular weight and beam time exposure for biodegradable PVC properties. PVC powder samples with varying number-average molecular weights ranging from 20 kDa to 90 kDa, unplasticized PVC film, gold nanoparticles, and varying exposure time of a 100 kGy electron beam from 80 to 115 milliseconds were employed for the study. Outcomes from PVC irradiation reveal the optimal parameters for inducing biodegradability in samples while preserving structural integrity: an e-beam exposure duration of 95 milliseconds applied to PVC powder with a sample molecular weight of 20 kDa, though also causing discoloration due to polymer chain breakage and hydrogen embrittlement. Analysis of the ratio of number average molecular weight Mn and weight average molecular weight Mw demonstrated that shorter irradiation durations result in lower molecular weights. Later comparison of glass transition temperature Tg vs. molecular weight indicated how molecular weight is a factor of influence on Tg and crystallinity, which is low in biodegradable polymers. Future work will aim to scale up the procedure for industrial applications and investigate the treatment’s applicability to a variety of thermoplastics, including fluoropolymers, polyacrylates, and ethylene copolymers.
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Rishika Porandla (2024) studied this question.
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