Designing green plasticizers: Influence of molecule geometry and alkyl chain length on the plasticizing effectiveness of diester plasticizers in PVC blends. (20th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erythropel, Hanno C.; Shipley, Sarah; Börmann, Aurélie; Nicell, Jim A.; Maric, Milan; Leask, Richard L.
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 89(2016)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2016-04-20
• Subjects: PVC plasticizer effectiveness -- Succinate -- Maleate; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2016.02.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: The influence of central structure and side chain length on plasticizer effectiveness of succinate and maleate diesters blended into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was assessed by tensile testing, DMTA, and surface hardness measurements. While no significant differences between central structures with similar side chain lengths were found, the length of the side chain played an important role, and maximum effectiveness was found for the linear dihexyl esters. In comparison to commercial plasticizers such as DEHP and Hexamoll ® DINCH ®, succinates and maleates with linear side chains of four to eight carbons performed as well or better in several of the mechanical tests. Earlier work had established that the proposed succinate and maleate compounds exhibited higher biodegradation rates than DEHP, and pending toxicity studies, they seem to be viable replacement compounds for DEHP. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Development of green plasticizers to replace phthalates. Evaluation of mechanical properties of linear succinate and maleate diesters. Highest plasticizer effectiveness for dihexyl succinate and maleate. No added benefit of ethyl branch in di (2-ethylhexyl) compounds. Several compounds of both series performed as good or better than DEHP and DINCH ® .