Effect of zinc maleate/zinc oxide complex on thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, zinc maleate (ZnMA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) complex (ZnMA/ZnO) was prepared by two methods, namely, by the reaction of maleic acid (MAH) with excess ZnO in aqueous solution and by direct mixing of ZnMA and ZnO at 180°C. The chemical structure of the complex was analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermal stabilizing effect of the complex on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was evaluated through static and dynamic stability methods. Compared to calcium and zinc soaps and ZnMA alone, the complex exhibited better thermal stabilizing effect on PVC. The stabilization mechanism was also investigated by ultraviolet–visible spectrometer, FTIR, TGA, and gel content analysis. The results indicated that the complex which involved the replacement of labile chlorine atoms hindered the formation of conjugated double bonds in PVC chains via Diels–Alder reaction, and ZnMA/ZnO complex also exhibited the ability to absorb hydrogen chloride. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41464.