The influence of fullerene C60 on the thermal stability of polyvinyl chloride

Timur T. Sadykov; Akhat G. Mustafin; Elena I. Kulish; Rinat M. Akhmetkhanov

doi:10.17308/kcmf.2025.27/13177

Timur T. Sadykov Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-1032
Akhat G. Mustafin Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8342-8787
Elena I. Kulish Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6240-0718
Rinat M. Akhmetkhanov Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0016-0218

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2025.27/13177

Keywords: Polyvinyl chloride, Fullerene C60, Polymer dehydrochlorination, Ester plasticizers, Phenolic antioxidants

Abstract

Purpose: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used industrial polymers, yet its practical application is limited by its low thermal and thermo-oxidative stability. The degradation of PVC is accompanied by the elimination of HCl and the formation of isolated and conjugated double bonds, which leads to polymer aging and deterioration of material properties. Despite the availability of numerous
fundamental studies devoted to the degradation and stabilization of PVC, the mechanism of its decomposition remains under discussion, with radical, ionic, and combined pathways being considered. Therefore, the search for efficient stabilizers is still largely empirical. The aim of this work was to reveal the features of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of rigid and plasticized PVC in the presence of
fullerene C60.

Experimental: The objects of study included industrial PVC grade S-7059M, fullerene C60, phenolic antioxidants (diphenylolpropane, ionol), and ester plasticizers (dioctyl phthalate, dioctyl sebacate). Thermal and thermo-oxidative dehydrochlorination was carried out at 175 °C in a bubbling-type reactor under nitrogen or oxygen flow. Stabilizing effects were evaluated by the rate of HCl release, thermal stability
time (according to GOST 14041-91), and melt flow index measurements. It was shown that fullerene C60 significantly inhibits PVC dehydrochlorination, reducing the rate of HCl release by more than twofold. The maximum effect is achieved at a content of 0.1 mmol permol of PVC. In plasticized PVC systems, fullerene demonstrated high antioxidative activity, comparable to or exceeding that of industrial phenolic antioxidants. An «echo-stabilization» effect was observed, attributed to the inhibition of ester plasticizer oxidation.

Conclusions: Thus, fullerene C60 can be considered a promising stabilizer for PVC, effectively retarding its thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation. The revealed regularities confirm the predominant role of the radical mechanism in PVC dehydrochlorination and highlight the potential of fullerene for extending the service life of PVC materials

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Author Biographies

Timur T. Sadykov, Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation

Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry and Chemical
Ecology, Ufa University of Science and Technology (Ufa, Russian Federation)

Akhat G. Mustafin, Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Professor, Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Ecology, Ufa University of Science and Technology (Ufa, Russian Federation)

Elena I. Kulish, Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Professor, Head of the Department of Macromolecular Compounds and General Chemical Technology, Ufa University of Science and Technology (Ufa, Russian Federation)

Rinat M. Akhmetkhanov, Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32 ul. Zaki Validi, Ufa 450076, Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Associate Professor, Professor at the Department of Macromolecular Compounds and General Chemical Technology, Ufa University of Science and Technology (Ufa, Russian Federation)

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