XPS STUDY OF KINETIC PHOTOOXYDATION OF PP AND PVC

The polymer surface undergoes photodegradation process under atmospheric conditions. In this paper we present the study, by XPS spectroscopy, of the natural aging, during two short periods (60 and 80 days), of two polymers, polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The results show an important oxydation of the aged polymers due to combined effects of ambient atmosphere (oxygen) and solar radiation. Indeed, these two factors induce a destruction of surface morphology by breaking C - H bands and a very important acceleration of the photoageing process. It is clear from the present study that the photooxidation increases as a function of time of ageing and that its evolution during ageing is the same for the two polymers.