Ester Plasticizer Trans-Esterification Process Safety and Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ester plasticizers, such as di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, are harmful to humans and have limitations in improving the processability and foamability of resins, necessitating an eco-friendly alternative with enhanced physical properties.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the trans-esterification of dioctyl terephthalate with butyl alcohol, followed by removal of unreacted alcohol through distillation, to produce an ester plasticizer composition comprising dioctyl terephthalate, butyl octyl terephthalate, and dibutyl terephthalate, with a molar ratio and weight percentage optimization for improved processability and foamability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is used as an ester plasticizer, then it provides basic plasticizer function, but it is harmful to humans as an environmental hormone and has limitations in improving processability and foamability of resins
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using dioctyl terephthalate as raw material instead of traditional phthalate, and controls the molar ratio of dioctyl terephthalate to butyl alcohol within 1:0.005 to 1:5.0 to optimize the plasticizer composition for both safety and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite ester plasticizer system containing multiple components (dioctyl terephthalate, butyl octyl terephthalate, and dibutyl terephthalate) with specific weight ratios, combining the advantages of different ester compounds to achieve both eco-friendliness and enhanced processability
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional esterification reaction is used to produce ester plasticizer, then the process is simple, but the resulting plasticizer has limited processability and foamability improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the reaction type from traditional esterification to trans-esterification reaction, using dioctyl terephthalate and butyl alcohol as reactants with controlled molar ratios, which produces plasticizers with superior processability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
3Manufacturing precision
If trans-esterification reaction is performed with optimized molar ratio, then the plasticizer composition is optimized for improved physical properties, but the reaction process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes key reaction parameters including the molar ratio of dioctyl terephthalate to butyl alcohol (1:0.005 to 1:5.0) and weight ratio (100:0.1 to 100:89.9) to achieve precise control over plasticizer composition and physical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses butyl alcohol as an intermediary reactant in the trans-esterification reaction, which facilitates the formation of butyl octyl terephthalate and dibutyl terephthalate with controlled amounts, enabling precise composition control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively produces an ester plasticizer with superior physical properties, including enhanced process efficiency, absorption rate, and foamability, while being eco-friendly and reducing waste disposal issues.
Implementation Method 1
trans-esterifying 100 parts by weight of dioctyl terephthalate with 0.1 to 89.9 parts by weight of butyl alcohol
Implementation Method 2
removing unreacted butyl alcohol and octyl alcohol as a reaction by-product by combination distillation
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a method for preparing an ester plasticizer and an ester plasticizer prepared by the method. More specifically, disclosed are a method for preparing an ester plasticizer comprising trans-esterifying 100 parts by weight of dioctyl terephthalate with 0.1 to 89.9 parts by weight of butyl alcohol, and an ester plasticizer prepared by the method. Advantageously, provided are a novel method for preparing an ester plasticizer and an ester plasticizer with superior physical properties, prepared by the method.