Effect of ecofriendly grapefruit peel extract on PVC thin films photostabilizing tested under harmful weathering conditions

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation triggers a photooxidative deterioration mechanism in plastics, resulting in bond breakage, release of volatile substances, overall weight reduction, generation of free radicals, and loose crosslinking. The aim of this study was to obtain a plant extract with appropriate concentration and use it to protect polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from photodegradation. PVC films containing different concentrations of naringin that were already extracted and TINUVIN 622 as a commercial stabilizer were investigated in this paper. UV light was used to irradiate PVC films for 300 h to test the photostability. After radiation, infrared spectra, weight loss, molecular weight reduction, and surface morphology examination for PVC films were studied. In comparison to blank film, the photodegradation of PVC films was significantly reduced by the naringin and TINUVIN 622 photostabilizers. The role of photostabilizers includes deactivating excited states (as quenchers), functioning as effective light filters (pigments and absorbers), scavenging radicals, and decomposing hydroperoxides.