Multi‐branched octopus‐like plasticizers with excellent plasticizing performance in poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

The development of alternatives is a priority issue for the plasticizer industry due to the reproductive toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of phthalate plasticizers. Herein we demonstrate the synthesis and characterization of multi‐branched octopus‐like plasticizers applied in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The plasticizers were achieved through a straightforward one‐step esterification reaction, resulting in four polyol ester plasticizers (glyceryl tri‐n‐octanoate [GTOE], pentaerythritol tetra‐n‐octanoate [PQOE], xylitol penta‐n‐octanoate [XPOE], and mannitol hexa‐n‐octanoate [MHOE]). The multi‐branched structure enhances the interactions between plasticizers and PVC molecules leading to superior plasticizing properties, particularly mechanical properties, thermal stability, and migration resistance compared with commercial plasticizers di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). Concretely, the elongation at break of MHOE/PVC (825%) and PQOE/PVC (814.63%) was better than that of DEHP/PVC (670.02%), DOTP/PVC (490.62%) and ATBC/PVC (566.78%). The T5% of GTOE/PVC, PQOE/PVC, XPOE/PVC, and MHOE/PVC were 46.97, 67.24, 60.09 and 48.14°C higher than ATBC/PVC respectively. In the volatility resistance testing after 48 h, the weight loss of GTOE/PVC, PQOE/PVC, XPOE/PVC, and MHOE/PVC was 5.63%, 3.64%, 2.95%, and 8.88% respectively, which was far less than DEHP/PVC (15.58%), DOTP/PVC (11.83%) and ATBC/PVC (18.15%). Consequently, the obtained plasticizers demonstrate enhanced plasticizing efficiency, presenting promising alternatives to phthalate plasticizers and expanding the repertoire of choices within the plasticizer industry.