(69d) Elucidating the factors that lead to plasticization in cellulose derivatives for greener bioplastics

Bioplastic cellulose acetate (CA) is the most prolific cellulose ester and is utilized for commercial and industrial applications in screens, cosmetics, and textile fibers. Through hydrolysis and other natural environmental factors, CA will convert back to cellulose and acetic acid leaving no harmful impact on its surrounding environment. Depending on the degree of substitution, CA can even be utilized as a naturally biodegradable thermoplastic as a replacement for synthetic plastics. Small molecules called plasticizers are added to CA to modify its thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, which aids in its processability; however, many common commercial plasticizers are not 'green.' Diethyl phthalate (DEP), for example, comprises 80% of plasticizers used despite its known endocrine toxicity and environmental cost. In order to facilitate the switch to green plasticizer alternatives, the properties of current plasticizers must be determined, in order to ensure that the adoption of green plasticizers does not compromise performance. This research establishes the physical, chemical, and structural characterization of CA films containing known plasticizers, DEP, triacetin, and bisphenol A, as a function of plasticizer concentration and CA acetyl substitution. These characteristics can be used as a benchmark for the design of greener CA plasticizer alternatives.