In situ chlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) in aqueous hydrochloric acid

Abstract

Based on environmental, safety, corrosion and technological considerations a new method has been developed for chlorination of PVC in aqueous hydrochloric acid solvent by controlled electrolytic in situ generation of chlorine using graphite and chlorine‐selective Ti‐RuO2 electrodes. The byproduct, HCl gas, is dissolved at the moment of its formation and acts as starting material of further chlorination. This way, the application of corrosive chlorine gas is avoided. The chlorination conditions have been optimized. The highest chlorine content was found at 5.5 h reaction time using a graphite electrode. The obtained chlorinated PVC did not contain any CCl2 units.