Migration of new bio-based additives from rigid and plasticized PVC stabilized with epoxidized sunflower oil in soil

Abstract

Commercial sunflower oil was epoxidized and the epoxidized sunflower oil (ESO) was used as a thermal stabilizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Rigid and plasticized formulations stabilized with ESO as a new biodegradable stabilizer and epoxidized soya bean oil (ESBO) as a commercial stabiliser were compared. Two plasticizers were used: dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and diisononyl adipate (DINA). The artificial aging of the PVC samples was investigated under uncontrolled temperature in the laboratory for 4 months. The modifications of the structure of the polymer were followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphological changes were followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the evolution of the bacterial growth, variation of pH and variation of mass were considered.