Mechanochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl chloride)-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers by ultrasonic irradiation

Mechanical degradation and mechanochemical reaction in heterogeneous systems of the solid poly(vinyl chloride)-poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solutions have been studied by ultrasonic irradiation at 30 degrees C. The rate of decrease in the viscosity-average degree of polymerization of the degraded poly(vinyl chloride) was much faster than that of the degraded poly(vinyl alcohol). Mechanochemical reaction occurred by free radicals produced from the chain scissions of both polymers by ultrasonic waves. The copolymer was obtained and the molar ratio of the vinyl chloride and the vinyl alcohol units in its copolymer can be determined. In addition, the changes in the composition of the total block copolymer, the unreacted poly(vinyl chloride), and the unreacted poly(vinyl alcohol) were obtained.