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The Effect of Dicarboxylic Acid Structure on the Plasticizing Ability of Its Ester
Summary
This study evaluated dicarboxylic acid esters as safer alternatives to the toxic plasticizer DEHP in polyvinyl chloride, finding that dibutoxyethyl sebacate (DBES) outperformed industrial standards by expanding PVC's flexible elastic range while resisting migration from the material.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) belongs to the most widely used group of thermoplastics. Most of the market for PVC products belongs to plasticized compositions. Plasticizers are the most demanded additives in the polymer industry. Environmental problems and the identified toxicity of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) stimulate the restriction of its use and contribute to the development of alternative plasticizers. As a possible replacement for phthalates, esters of dicarboxylic acids are known to provide reduced toxicity and high frost resistance to the resulting compositions. In this regard, esters of dicarboxylic acids and ethoxylated alcohols were obtained and their compatibility with polyvinyl chloride was investigated. The plasticizing effect of the esters obtained was evaluated. The thermomechanical characteristics of PVC compositions containing the developed plasticizers were studied, the glass transition temperature was determined, and the areas of the glassy and highly elastic state of the plastics were identified. It was shown that the chemical structure of dicarboxylate used as a plasticizer determines the important technological and operational characteristics of the PVC plastics obtained. Dibutoxyethyl sebacate (DBES) has the best plasticizing effect among the synthesized esters. The expansion of the highly elastic state area for PVC samples containing this ester exceeded the industrial plasticizers DEHP and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DOA). The indicators of the critical temperature of dissolution of PVC in the esters under study suggest ensuring their low migration from PVC plastics.