Analysis of thermally and UV-Vis aged plasticized PVC using UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy

The stability of plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-P) stored under indoor conditions, despite it being in commercial use for more than 80 years, hasn't been sufficiently experimentally examined, as documented in available works on PVC-P stability. With the increasing number of actively deteriorating priceless modern and contemporary artworks made of PVC-P, there is a growing need for studies dealing with the analysis of changing characteristics of PVC-P during its aging under indoor conditions. This work addresses these issues by designing PVC-P formulations, drawing on the available information on technology of PVC production and PVC com-pounding from the last century, and analyzing the changes in the characteristic properties of model samples made from the designed PVC-P formulations exposed to accelerated UV-Vis and thermal aging using UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The results of our study further expand the knowledge regarding the sta-bility of PVC-P and the benefits of using non-destructive, non-invasive spectroscopic methods of analysis for monitoring changes in PVC-P characteristic properties induced by aging.

Automated summary

This study experimentally examines the stability of plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-P) under indoor conditions using spectroscopic methods such as UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. The results expand the knowledge on PVC-P stability and demonstrate the benefits of using non-destructive spectroscopic methods to monitor changes in its characteristic properties induced by aging.