Journals Proceedings

Abstract

A green process for the preparation of a biodegradable plasticizer was developed in this study. An ester was synthesized from castor oil fatty acid (COFA) and furfuryl alcohol (FA), using immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase B (NS 435) as bio catalyst. Reaction parameters were optimized and the ester (FA-COFA) obtained was characterized from their acid value, density, viscosity and flash point. Formation of ester was confirmed by structure analysis using TLC, GC and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The biodegradability of the ester was also confirmed by microbiological study. The application of the ester as plasticizer into the ethyl cellulose films were analyzed by SEM and measuring tensile strength and elongation property. The ester showed good plasticizing ability at certain concentration.