Nonmigratory internal plasticization of poly(vinyl chloride) via pendant triazoles bearing alkyl or polyether esters

Abstract

Branched and linear nonmigratory internal plasticizers attached to PVC by a pendant triazole linkage were synthesized and investigated. Copper-free azide-alkyne thermal cycloaddition was employed to covalently bind triazole-based phthalate mimics to PVC. To systematically investigate the effect of plasticizer structure on glass transition temperature, several architectural motifs were explored. Free volume theory was considered when designing many of these internal plasticizers: hexyl-tethers were utilized to generate additional space between the triazole-phthalate mimic and the polymer backbone. Miscibility of these triazole-plasticizers in PVC is important: variation of the ester moieties on the triazole possessing alkyl and/or poly(ethylene oxide) chains produced a wide range of glass transition temperatures (Tg): from anti-plasticizing 96 °C, to highly efficient plasticized materials exhibiting Tg values as low as −42 °C. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2397–2411.