Synthesis of an efficient bio-based plasticizer derived from waste cooking oil and its performance testing in PVC

Abstract In order to develop an efficient and sustainable plasticizer, the waste cooking oil and malic acid were used as the main raw materials in this study to synthesize a bio-based plasticizer (acetylated-fatty acid methyl ester-malic acid ester, AC-FAME-MAE) by environment-friendly methods, and the structure was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR. The properties of the poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) with AC-FAME-MAE were tested and compared with those of the PVC plasticized with DOP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) and EFAME (epoxy fatty acid methyl ester), respectively. The results of tensile test, TGA and leaching test showed that the mechanical properties, thermal stability and overall solvent resistance of PVC films with AC-FAME-MAE were significantly better than those of PVC films plasticized by DOP or EFAME. From the results of DMA, the plasticized efficiency of AC-FAME-MAE was as good as DOP. The application of AC-FAME-MAE has higher safety in the food industry based on the results of food simulation fluids experiment.