(385b) Characterizing Polyvinyl Chloride Interactions with Common Commercial Additives in Traditional and Bioderived Solvents

In this study, we conduct a comprehensive investigation into the interactions between polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its common commercial additives (plasticizers, heat stabilizers, flame retardants, etc.), with a focus on exploring alternative, bioderived solvents for processing PVC waste. Using molecular simulations, we evaluate the performance of five bioderived solvents and compare them against other traditional solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and ethyl acetate (ETA). We examine the impact of the different solvents on the physical and mechanical properties of PVC, as well as their propensity to solvate PVC and its additives. Our findings suggest that bioderived solvents may provide comparable, if not superior, PVC solvation performance relative to traditional solvent formulations, highlighting these compounds as potential eco-friendly alternatives. Future experimental studies are planned to validate these findings and assess the practicality of these bioderived solvents, considering factors such as cost, synthesis feasibility, and toxicity.