X-RD, SEM and conductivity of ethylene carbonate added PVC polymer films

The films of PVC were prepared by mixing ethylene carbonate (EC) and by employing the solution casting method. The samples that were prepared were characterized for their structural, morphological, functional, and electrical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and AC impedance analysis, respectively. The XRD patterns illustrated that the pure PVC was having sharp crystalline broad peaks at 17.45° and 19.25° which gradually disappeared with the increasing concentration of EC showing a gradual transition to the amorphous nature. The best combination PVC with EC showed the highest amorphous character with the suppressed crystalline peaks, which is indicative of the good miscibility of PVC and EC. The SEM results revealed that the surface of PVC with EC was smooth and homogeneous. The FTIR spectra showed significant polymer-plasticizer interactions in the form of O-H and C=O stretching vibrations and also decreased C-Cl intensity indicating the disruption of PVC crystalline domains. AC conductivity studies revealed that pure PVC had the lowest conductivity (σ = 3.82 × 10⁻⁸ S/cm), however, the conductivity increased enormously with the addition of the EC. The PVC with 30% EC had the lowest resistance and highest conductivity due to increased chain flexibility and free volume, however, the performance was degraded by the excess EC.