Photocrosslinking of azidated poly(vinyl chloride) coated onto plasticized PVC surface: route to containing plasticizer migration

Abstract

The migration of phthalate esters which are commonly employed for plasticizing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a significant problem in PVC-based medical devices as well as in packaging used for food stuffs and pharmaceuticals. Medical-grade PVC resin was treated with sodium azide in dimethylformamide (DMF) to prepare the azide polymer. The polymeric azide was coated onto the surface of plasticized PVC sheets by dipping in a solution of the polymer in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Crosslinking of the azide polymer was accomplished by irradiating the surface using a 125 W UV lamp for various lengths of time. Migration of the plasticizer di 2-(ethylhexyl phthalate) (DEHP) from coated and uncoated samples was examined in n-hexane at 30°C. It was found that 50-80% reduction in migration of DEHP could be effected from plasticized PVC in comparison with the controls in 72 h by this technique depending on the concentration of the coating solution, coating thickness, azide concentration, and irradiation dose.