Anthraquinone derivatives as organic stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) against photo-degradation

Anthraquinone derivatives have been prepared and investigated as photo-stabilizers for rigid PVC by measuring the extent of weight loss (%), the amount of gel formation as well as the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fractions of the degraded polymer. The results indicated a reasonable stabilizing effect of these derivatives compared with UV-cornmercially used stabilizers. A synergistic effect is achieved when the anthraquinone derivatives are mixed with UV-absorbers in a weight ratio of 75% of investigated organic stabilizer and 25% of reference stabilizer. A probable radical mechanism is proposed to account for the stabilizing action of the organic investigated materials. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.