Synthesis and application of a novel environmental C26 diglycidyl ester plasticizer based on castor oil for poly(vinyl chloride)

Authors: CHEN, JIE - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; Liu, Zengshe - Kevin; NIE, XIAOAN - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; JIANG, JIANCHUN - Chinese Academy Of Forestry

Submitted to: Journal of Materials Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2018
Publication Date: 3/9/2018
Citation: Chen, J., Liu, Z., Nie, X., Jiang, J. 2018. Synthesis and application of a novel environmental C26 diglycidyl ester plasticizer based on castor oil for poly(vinyl chloride). Journal of Materials Science. 53(12):8909-8920. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2206-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2206-7

Interpretive Summary: In this research, we developed a castor oil based, long chain plasticizer and explored its application in plasticizing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Because the commonly used plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP) is toxic, it is restricted in some countries. In order to replace DOP by developing benign, bio-based plasticizers, natural-based plasticizers have attracted researchers interest. This novel castor oil based plasticizer showed PVC films with better compatibility, flexibility and extraction resistance properties. This will benefit the PVC industry such as in packaging, construction, toys, furniture, household, automotives, electrical, electronics, etc.

Technical Abstract: A castor oil derived diglycidyl ester plasticizer (C26-DGE) was prepared and incorporated into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for the first time. The chemical structure of the product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The plasticizing effects of C26-DGE as a primary or secondary plasticizer for the commercial plasticizer, dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were studied. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and migration stabilities of PVC films were investigated via dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), TGA-FTIR analysis, and PVC film surface analysis. Tensile, volatility, and extraction tests were also done. The castor oil-based plasticizer was found to endow the PVC matrix with enhanced compatibility and flexibility. With partially or completely substituted DOP, C26-DGE significantly increased the thermal stability of PVC blends. Furthermore, the volatility and extraction resistance of the novel plasticizers were gnerally superior to those of DOP. The interaction between the C26-DGE and PVC molecules and the thermal degradation process of PVC blends were also investigated.