DL-Isoborneol esters as nontoxic main plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride with improved processability, thermal stability, and mechanical performance

DL-Isoborneol is a forestry chemical product that can serve as an intermediate in the synthesis of value-added plasticizer products. In this study, three kinds of DL-Isoborneol esters (octanoic acid-DL-Isoborneol, decanoic acid-DL-Isoborneol ester, and lauric acid-DL-Isoborneol ester [LDE]) with different fatty hydrocarbon chains were synthesized via esterification reaction. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and Nuclear magnetic hydrogen spectrum ( 1 H NMR) indicated that DL-Isoborneol esters were successfully synthesized. The oral toxicity experiment of plasticizers in mice indicated that DL-Isoborneol esters have toxic doses of 5000 mg/kg and was environmentally friendly and nontoxic. DL-Isoborneol esters were used as main plasticizers to plasticize polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and compared with commercial plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The results showed that DL-Isoborneol esters could improve thermoplastic processing performance and thermal stability of plasticized PVC than DOP. DL-Isoborneol esters and PVC showed more excellent compatibility compared with DOP. T g of plasticized PVC reached 22°C, tensile strength and elongation at break of PVC plasticized with 40 wt% LDE reached 12.90 ± 0.83 MPa and 342 ± 13%, respectively. DL-Isoborneol esters with improved migration resistance performance and plasticization efficiency can completely replace DOP as main plasticizers for PVC. Highlights DL-Isoborneol esters with different fatty hydrocarbon chains were synthesized. DL-Isoborneol esters have toxic doses of 5000 mg/kg and are nontoxic. DL-Isoborneol esters can be used as main plasticizer for PVC. Plasticized PVC with improved processability. DOP can be completely replaced by DL-Isoborneol esters.