Measurement and simple equation models of the specific heats of neat and glycerol-plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol)

• Main Authors: Sin, Lee Tin, Wan Abdul Rahman, Wan Aizan, Rahmat, Abdul Razak, Bee, Soo Tueen, Tee, Tiam Ting, Low, Chong Yu
• Format: Article
• Published: Wiley 2012
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/32888/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/vnl.20304

The specific heats (Csp) of neat and glycerol-plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry at 330530 K. Glycerol-plasticized poly(vinyl alcohol) was prepared by a melt-blending method. The outcomes were modeled into mathematical functions. Incorporation of glycerol increased the specific heat of PVOH. Glycerol provided internal lubrication to the PVOH system, giving a smoother and lower-amplitude melting curve. As a result, glycerol-plasticized PVOH had a lower melting-temperature range than neat PVOH. However, higher energy was required to increase the temperature of glycerol-plasticized PVOH. The modeling functions showed a best fits regression range of 0.9670.999. Neat PVOH and glycerol-plasticized PVOH required 1166.05 J/g and 2113.09 J/g, respectively, to increase the temperature from 330 to 530 K. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:198203, 2012. (c) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers