Preparation of Biomass-Based Ester End-Capped Hyperbranched Poly(ether)s via Facile One-Pot Reaction and Their Performance as Non-Toxic Plasticizers

The aim of this study was to develop a facile one-pot reaction for the synthesis of biomass-based hyperbranched poly(ether)s end-capped as acetate esters (BHE) for use as a sustainable, safe and feasible plasticizer for flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) materials. BHE is completely miscible with PVC but shows weaker plasticizing effect than dioctyl phthalate (DOP) (EΔTgvalue of BHE reaches 64.8%). PVC plasticized with BHE displays greater thermal stability than that of PVC or PVC plasticized with DOP materials. BHE improves the thermal stability and flexibility of PVC materials. As a plasticizer, BHE displays lower solvent extractability and greater volatilization resistance than DOP. Acute oral toxicity indicates that BHE has toxic doses of 5 g/kg, suggesting that BHE is non-toxic.