Three organotin(IV) complexes containing ciprofloxacin as a ligand (Ph₃SnL, Me₂SnL₂ and Bu₂SnL₂; 0.5% by weight) were used as additives to inhibit the photodegradation of polyvinyl chloride films (40 µm thickness) upon irradiation with ultraviolet light (λmax = 313 at a light intensity = 7.75 × 10-7 ein dm-3 S-1) at room temperature. The efficiency of organotin(IV) complexes as photostabilizers was determined by monitoring the changes in the weight, growth of specific functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl and carbene), viscosity, average molecular weight, chain scission and degree of deterioration of the polymeric films upon irradiation. The results obtained indicated that organotin(IV) complexes stabilized poly(vinyl chloride) and the dimethyltin(IV) complex was the most efficient additive. The surface morphologies of poly(vinyl chloride) films containing organotin(IV) complexes were examined using an atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscopy. These showed that the surface of polymeric films containing organotin(IV) complexes were smoother and less rough, compared to the surface of the blank films. Some mechanisms that explained the role of organotin(IV) complexes in poly(vinyl chloride) photostabilization process were proposed.
Keywords: atomic force microscope; ciprofloxacin; organotin(IV) complexes; photodegradation; poly(vinyl chloride); scanning electron microscope; ultraviolet irradiation.