Photocross-linking of dithiocarbamate-substituted PVC reduces plasticizer migration

Medical grade poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets and tubes were surface modified by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms of PVC by photoactive N,N-diethyl dithiocarbamate (DTC) in aqueous media in the presence of a suitable phase transfer catalyst (PTC) at 55 degrees C. The modified surface was cross-linked by irradiation with u.v. light in an attempt to create a barrier for the diffusion of the plasticizer di-(2-ethylhexyl phthalate) (DEHP). Of the various PTCs examined for the reaction, tetrabutyl ammonium salts were found to be very effective, whereas crown ethers such as 18-crown-6 was least effective. The effect of concentration of PTC and DTC, time of reaction and irradiation dose on the extent of plasticizer migration was examined in petroleum ether for various periods of time at 30 degrees C. The migration of DEHP from PVC modified under optimum conditions was less than 5% in 120 h, whereas the unmodified PVC lost virtually all its plasticizer (> 30%) during the same period. Determination of the stress-strain properties of modified PVC sheets showed a reduction of approximately 30%. However, the values were still within the range prescribed for vinyl chloride plastics used for medical applications. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.