Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used material, but its reliance on plasticizers and stabilizers compromises its performance over time. However, researchers have discovered a novel method to enhance PVC’s durability and reduce the release of harmful microplastics. This innovative approach involves securely attaching chemical additives to PVC, offering a long-term solution to prevent deterioration.
Led by Christo Sevov, an associate professor at Ohio State University, this exciting development has the potential to revolutionize the use of PVC in various industries, from toys to medical packaging.
“Instead of mixing in those chemicals, our method involves chemically bonding the plasticizer compound directly to PVC by grafting them onto the backbone of the polymer,” said Sevov.
By altering PVC molecules in this innovative way, we can enhance their durability and resistance to chemical changes, resulting in materials with superior properties.
“This is really one of the few examples that we have where there’s this much control over changing the properties of PVC,” said Sevov. “So this is the first step in controllably modifying PVC to give it properties you’re interested in, whether it’s hard, stretchy, or soft.”
The team encountered significant challenges in their work with synthetic polymer modifications. The original reactions were designed for small-molecule analogs, not large-molecule analogs like pure PVC. However, through determination and innovation, the researchers optimized their catalyst and overcame the obstacles associated with modifying large molecules.
Beyond its implications for organic chemistry, the team’s work also holds great promise for the environment. Their research could play a pivotal role in reducing the release of harmful microplastics into the environment by controlling the degradation rate of plastics. These tiny plastic particles have been found to contaminate the air, water, and food supply, posing serious risks to both humans and wildlife. Shockingly, the average person may unwittingly consume between 78,000 and 211,000 of these particles every year.
As the world wakes up to the long-term impact of microplastics, organic chemists are racing to find innovative solutions to phase out these harmful materials from everyday life. According to Sevov, experts are urgently seeking alternatives and strategies to minimize the presence of microplastics in the environment, understanding the urgency of mitigating their detrimental effects.
“Many chemists are shifting their efforts to studying big molecules and developing new chemistries for upcycling, recycling, and modifying well-known polymers,” he said.
Consider the challenges of recycling PVC products. Traditional methods often lead to further degradation due to the high temperatures required, resulting in an inefficient process. However, Sevov’s innovative method offers a game-changing solution. With this approach, the material can be reused numerous times, significantly extending its lifespan and reusability.
In the near future, we will have greater control over ensuring consumer safety by effectively addressing PVC leakage. The study emphasizes that this is achievable using their unique method, paving the way for enhanced material safety standards.
“There’s no better way to do this on the scale you would need for commercial PVC modification because it is an immense process,” said Sevov. “There’s still a lot to play around with before we solve the microplastic situation, though now we’ve laid the groundwork for how to do it.”
Journal reference:
- Jordan L.S. Zackasee, Valmuri Srivardhan, Blaise L. Truesdell, Elizabeth J. Vrana, Christo S. Sevov. Electrocatalytic grafting of polyvinyl chloride plastics. Chem, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2024.08.021
