A Surface Morphological Study, Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Photo-Stabilizers Utilizing Ibuprofen Tin Complexes against Ultraviolet Radiation

Abstract

In this work, three Ibuprofen tin complexes were synthesized and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H and 119Sn-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopies to identify the structures. The complexes were mixed separately with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) to improve its photo-stability properties. Their activity was demonstrated by several approaches of the FTIR to exhibit the formation of new groups within the polymer structure due to the exposure to UV light. Moreover, the polymer’s weight loss during irradiation and the average molecular weight estimation using its viscosity before and after irradiation were investigated. Furthermore, different techniques were used to study the surface morphology of the PVC before and after irradiation. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and optical microscope demonstrated that applying Ibuprofen tin complexes keeps the surface of PVC smoother, with fewer cracks and spots after irradiation comparing to the blank PVC. Finally, It seems possible that such synthesized Ibuprofen tin complexes can work as excellent photo-stabilizers of PVC. In particular, complex 1 showed the best results among other stabilizers due to the large conjugation system of the stabilizer.