Mechanochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl chloride)-block-poly(ethylene-co-propylene) copolymers by ultrasonic irradiation

Mechanical degradation and mechanochemical reaction in heterogeneous and homogeneous systems of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene-co-propylene) polymer have been studied by ultrasonic irradiation at 30 degrees C. The rates of decrease in the number-average molecular weights of the degraded poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene-co-propylene) polymer were much faster in order of the solid poly(vinyl chloride)-poly(ethylene-co-propylene) polymer solution, the swelled poly(vinyl chloride)-poly(ethylene-co-propylene) polymer solution, and the homogeneous solution systems. On the other hand, mechanochemical reaction occurred by free radicals produced from the chain scissions of both polymers by ultrasonic waves. The changes in the composition of the total block copolymer, the unreacted poly(vinyl chloride), and the unreacted poly(ethylene-co-propylene) polymer in individual reaction systems were obtained. In addition, the microscopic observation of the surfaces of the polymers on before and after mechanochemical reaction is carried out.