Alkaline dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) in organic solvents under mild conditions

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 86; no. 3; pp. 541 - 547
• Main Authors: Yoshinaga, Tetsutaro, Yamaye, Makoto, Kito, Taketoshi, Ichiki, Tomoyuki, Ogata, Masahiko, Chen, Jie, Fujino, Hiroshi, Tanimura, Toshifumi, Yamanobe, Takeshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Alkaline hydrolysis of PVC; Applied sciences; Chemical recycling; Dechlorination in organic solvents; Exact sciences and technology; Mild conditions; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Waste treatment; Mild conditions; Alkaline hydrolysis of PVC; Chemical recycling; Dechlorination in organic solvents; Solvent effect; Waste treatment; Temperature effect; Chemical degradation; Experimental study; Hydrolysis; Organic solvent; Dechlorination; Basic medium; Kinetics; Recycling; Polyvinyl chloride; Plastic waste
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2004.06.008

A mild alkaline hydrolysis of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in an organic solvent was conducted with a satisfactory degree of dechlorination (DD). Under atmospheric pressure, a DD of 98–99% was accomplished in the hydrolysis with NaOH in dimethylsulfoxide at 80
°C for 1–3
h. The resulting hydrolysis product is poly(vinyl alcohol) with a very small chlorine content. Sodium chloride was the only by-product and no other harmful products such as dioxins were formed. Possible solvent recycling mainly depends on controlled use of water.