Oil spill is a serious environmental pollution problem that affects the environment and human health. The immediate and efficient removal of oil spill has become an urgent problem. In recent decades, electrospinning technology has become an effective method for fabrication of nanofibers. Electrospun nanofibers have many applications in different fields, such as environment, healthcare, electrical field, and electronics. The present paper has studied the capacity of polyvinyl chloride nanofibers, which have been successfully obtained by electrospinning method for removal of oil from water. The morphology and hydrophobicity of nanofibers were studied. The sorption capacity of nanofibers has been investigated for various oils such as motor oil, hydraulic oil, and crude oil. The rate of oil sorption versus time, the effect of oil concentration, and temperature on the oil sorption capacity were analyzed. The results showed that polyvinyl chloride nanofibers were able to completely absorb oil without absorbing water. In addition, the results of our research showed that polyvinyl chloride nanofiber’, s oil sorption capacity is inversely proportional to the temperature. Given these points, our research showed the enormous potential that polyvinyl chloride nanofibers have for removal of oil spill in water, due to their effectiveness and quickly sorption effect.

Physical properties and thermal behaviours of polymers vary by molecular weight or stereoisomers. These properties also change in the presence of polymeric and nonpolymeric additives. Conductive polymers are insoluble in original organic solvents and their processibility are limited. In this research, the processible conducting polymers are synthesized and their electrical properties and thermal behaviour are studied. The blends of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi) are prepared. On the other hand, the percentages of compounds of these blends for suitable electrical properties, solubility and processability are optimized. All the samples were prepared in the smooth form and thin film. A four-point probe method is adopted to examine the electrical DC conductivity. It is found that the conductivity of the blends is decreased but their processibility and solubility are increased. Thermal stability of polypyrrole and polyaniline blends were investigated by scanning thermal analysis (STA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetrical analysis (TGA). As it is evident from the results, the prepared blends are much more stable compared with polypyrrole, polyaniline and host polymers.

The accumulation of plastics in the environment is raising great concerns with respect to long-term environmental, economic and waste management problems. The aim of the present research was to investigate the biodegradability of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films in soil burial and controlled laboratory experiments using selective fungal isolates. Clear surface aberrations as color change and minor disintegration in polyvinyl chloride films were observed after 90 days and later confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. The fungal strains showing prominent growth and adherence on plastic films were isolated. One of the strains showing maximum activity was selected and identified as Phanerochaete chrysosporium PV1 by rDNA sequencing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated considerable structural changes and transformation in films in terms of appearance of new peaks at 3,077 cm-1 (corresponding to alkenes) and decrease in intensity of peaks at 2,911 cm-1 (C-H stretching). It was supported with a significant decrease in the molecular weight of polymer film from 80,275 to 78,866 Da (treated) through Gel permeation chromatography in shake flask experiment. Moreover, the biodegradation of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films was confirmed through release of higher CO2 (7.85 g/l) compared to control (2.32 g/l) in respirometric method. So fungal strain P. chrysosporium PV1 has great potential for use in bioremediation of plastic waste.

Background: The purpose of this work was to investigate the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dyed with methyl red as a high dose radiation dosimetry. Materials and Methods: Commercial PVC films from Sabic made from resins PVC57S with thickness of 60 mm and methyl red with a molecular weight of 269.31 were used. Irradiation was carried out using a60Co g-ray generator with sources arranged in rectangular holder with a total activity of 73.6926 kCi. Absorbance measurements were made by Jasco V- 630 UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Dose rate and irradiation temperature effects as well as post-irradiation storage in dark and indirect daylight conditions on dosimetry performance were also investigated.Results: The results showed a linear relationship between the relative absorbance (response) and the absorbed dose at the wavelength 548 nm in the range of 0-150 kGy. The response was found to be independent of both dose rate and irradiation temperature.Conclusion: The experimental results indicate that PVC films dyed with methyl red may be used for a high dose radiation dosimetry.

Background: Thiodiacetic acid (TDAA) is the main metabolite of vinyl chloride (VC) and 1, 2-dichloroethane (EDC) and its urinary level is correlated with the level of exposure to these chemicals. Objective: To study dynamics of the excretion of TDAA into urine of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production workers. Methods: The study sample consisted of 65 workers of VC and PVC divisions with various time intervals following exposure to the chemicals, 10 shift workers from PVC division, and 34 workers not exposed to the chemicals (control group). Analysis of urinary TDAA was carried out with gas chromatography with mass-selective detector. Results: The concentrations of TDAA in the urine of workers of the VC division and in group of primary occupations who had a high level of exposure to the chemicals, were significantly (p<0. 05) higher than that of workers of the PVC production division and group of auxiliary professions. The highest levels of TDAA in the urine of workers were found at the beginning of the next shift and during a long break, 24– 48 hours after the cessation of the exposure. Conclusion: When conducting biomonitoring studies in PVC production workers, the optimal time for collecting urine samples is at the beginning of the next shift or during a long rest, 24– 48 hours after the exposure.