Characterization and Performance of a New Palm Oil Derived Bioplasticizers against Conventional Plasticizers for Polymers

Abstract

This study evaluated and compare the characteristics of newly developed palm oil-derived bio-plasticizer (ECOXIS GP 2000) as the replacement of fossil-based plasticizer, Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) and other commercial bio-plasticizer for polymers. The physical characteristics of ECOXIS GP 2000 including its refractive index, volatility, acid value and specific gravity are all comparable with fossil-based plasticiser, DOTP and commercial bioplasticizers, Eco-Dench, Santicizer G-2030 and JMBP100-A1. Though there were a small deviation in specific gravity and acid number but ECOXIS GP 2000 can be feasibly mixed with PVC at 50 phr loading, with the fusion time lower than DOTP and comparable with other commercial bioplasticizer. The mechanical properties studied showed that the elongation at break, hardness and water absorption capacity of ECOXIS GP 2000 plasticized PVC was improved as compared to DOTP and other commercial bioplasticizers plasticized PVC. However, the tensile strength was evaluated to be the lowest and higher plasticizer migration was experience for ECOXIS GP 2000 plasticized PVC. The low unsaturation of Malaysian palm oil based chemical structure caused high diffusion factor resulting in higher plasticizer migration issues. The migration issue can be resolved by using hybrid DOTP and ECOXIS GP 2000 which also further improved the tensile strength and water absorption resistance of polymer. The outcome of this research suggests that, ECOXIS GP 2000 derived from Malaysia palm oil can be utilized as replacement for imported plasticizers in local polymer production which could benefit the economic and sustainability of Malaysia polymer products.