Controlled release PVC membranes: Influence of phthalate plasticizers on their tensile properties and performance

Abstract

The design of controlled release polymer dispensers (CRPD) for effective release of the active ingredients at desired rates requires a careful study and generation of data on several properties of the polymer membranes. Presence of optimum tensile properties is one of the prerequisites for the CRPD in deciding their suitability for application in the fields. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) membranes containing di n-alkyl phthalate (alkyl = methyl, ethyl, butyl & octyl) with concentrations ranging from 10-30% with an increment of 2.5% were prepared. The tensile strength and percent elongation of these membranes as a function of concentration of the phthalate plasticizers, their size and aging period were performed. An increase in the tensile strength with increasing phthalate content was noticed up to 17.5% phthalate. Then followed a decrease with further increase of phthalate content. In contrast, the percent elongation was observed to increase constantly with increased concentration of the plasticizer. The ambiguous increase in the tensile strength up to 17.5% plasticized films is attributed to the antiplasticization effect of the plasticizer. The properties showed a linear behavior with respect to the size of the alkyl chain length and also the period of aging. The membranes with 17.5% and 20% were found to have optimum tensile properties and good property retention with aging for their application in controlled release of agrochemicals.