Flexible composites were prepared with ethyl cellulose (EC) as a base polymer and dimer acid (DA) derivatives as a plasticizer. Dimer acid and dimer acid esters (DA-Cn), having short to long alkyl chains were synthesized through the Diels–Alder reaction of fatty acids prepared by hydrolysis of used vegetable oil and the subsequent esterification. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and chemical titration resulting total acid number (TAN) were performed to characterize the renewable plasticizers. The thermal stability was studied with thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), showing higher thermal degradation temperatures of DA and DA-Cn than dioctyl phthalate (DOP) which is one of popular petroleum-based plasticizer. To evaluate compatibility between EC and the plasticizers, FT-IR, UV-vis transmittance, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were carried out, proving good dispersion of plasticizers in EC matrix and enhanced optical clarity in a micro-scale of EC composites using DA and DA-C1. In particular, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile test showed viscoelastic properties and ductile behaviors having enhanced elongation and toughness on the addition of DA in the EC composites. Immigration test of the EC composites revealed that DA was released more slowly than DOP from the EC matrix. In conclusion, DA and DA-C1 ester could act as effective eco-friendly and renewable plasticizers for EC. References 1. Lee, S.; Shin, J.; Kim, Y.-W. et al. Carbohydrate Polymers 2015, 121, 284–294.

Ethyl cellulose composite with dimer acid alkyl ester plasticizer derived from used vegetable oil

251st National Meeting (2016)

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