Ultrasound assisted synthesis of epoxidized sunflower oil and application as plasticizer

The effect of ultrasonic reactors on the epoxidation of sunflower oil was investigated using two different sonochemical reactors such as ultrasonic horn and ultrasonic bath. The optimized parameters for the synthesis were established followed by scale up studies. Use of combination of ultrasonic bath and mechanical agitation gave maximum conversion to oxirane oxygen as 91.1%. The synthesized epoxidized sunflower oil (ESNO) was used as plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride sheets and the performance was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical testing methods. It has been established that ESNO plasticizer has ability to replace dioctyl phthalate (DOP) giving a sustainable and greener approach. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.