Effects of Solvent Molecular Structure on Diffusion through Plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride) Films

Abstract

Diffusion of organic solvents in plasticized poly-(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films is industrially significant for inkjetprinted PVC graphic displays, but comprehensive research on the mechanism of solvent diffusion in such systems is lacking. This study employs two easy-to-implement experimental techniques for diffusion measurement and reports on both the steady-state and non-steady-state diffusivities of 20 industrially relevant organic solvents, spanning five chemical moieties, in a commercial PVC base film. To better understand the trends in diffusivity values with solvent properties, the diffusivity was compared to multiple kinetic mobility and thermodynamic diffusion models. Kinetic mobility parameters representing molecular size and shape were found to be good predictors of diffusivity in this study. In contrast, the thermodynamic Hansen solubility parameters from the solvent and PVC were shown to be a less robust predictor of the diffusivities. Molecular weight, van der Waals volume, and vapor pressure were identified as the best performing predictors that also have distinct merits for guiding industrial practices and furthering theoretical understandings. Ultimately, the results from this study are useful in predicting the performance of solvents for industrial inkjet printing and in understanding the underlying microscopic transport mechanisms.

Characterization and transport properties of ceramic filler incorporated natural rubber composites

“…The slope (m) of these linear fittings, thickness (L) of the composite and equilibrium molar sorption (S α ) was substituted in Equation to obtain the solvent D. It is observed that for the unfilled and filled NR, the D and P decreases with the increase in molecular weight of the solvent, that is, D p‐Xylene < D toluene < D benzene . The diffusion and permeation of a solvent through a polymer also depends on the size and molecular weight of the solvent 36 . The lower the size or kinetic diameter and the lower the molecular weight of the solvent, the higher will be its D or P. The kinetic diameter of benzene, toluene and p‐xylene are 0.59 nm, 0.61 nm and 0.67 nm, repectively 37 .…”

“…The diffusion and permeation of a solvent through a polymer also depends on the size and molecular weight of the solvent. 36 The lower the size or kinetic diameter and the lower the molecular weight of the solvent, the higher will be its D or P. The kinetic diameter of benzene, toluene and p-xylene are 0.59 nm, 0.61 nm and 0.67 nm, repectively. 37 Hence, the above trend of D or P may be attributed to the increasing molecular weight and kinetic diameter of the solvents in the order benzene<tolue-ne<p-xylene.…”

Vapor Phase Infiltration Doping of the Semiconducting Polymer Poly(aniline) with TiCl4 + H2O: Mechanisms, Reaction Kinetics, and Electrical and Optical Properties

“…Second, one long precursor exposure likely leads to greater penetration and doping depths in comparison to multiple short cycles. It is likely that an extended singular exposure likely permits for increased vapor transport and diffusion depths for all systems (vide infra) …”

“…It is likely that an extended singular exposure likely permits for increased vapor transport and diffusion depths for all systems (vide infra). 54 To further quantify the optical and electrical properties for the 400 min VPI hybrid films, three sets of additional measurements were performed (see Figure S6). First, after VPI doping, the hybrid films' electrical conductivities were measured as a function of ambient exposure time (Figure S6a).…”

Stability of nitrile and vinyl latex gloves under repeated disinfection cycles

“…However, the ease of migration of the plasticizer into the environment with aging and treatment renders the vinyl gloves less flexible and reduces their physical properties [ 32 ]. In this study, the leaching stability of the plasticizers from vinyl as a result of the sterilization methods and cycles was studied by soaking the glove specimens in n-hexane, which is a good solvent for phthalates [ 33 ].…”