Integration of Biological Synthesis & Chemical Catalysis: Bio-based Plasticizer trans-Aconitates

作者：Hongbin Hou, Xuenian Huang, Z Du, Jian Guo, Min Wang, Guangqiang Xu, Ce Geng, Yunpeng Zhang, Qinggang Wang, Xuefeng Lü · 发表于：Green Carbon · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1016/j.greenca.2023.08.001 · 被引用次数：24 · 研究领域：biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties、Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Plasticizers are essential to reduce processing difficulties and improve plastic properties. However, petroleum-based phthalate plasticizers, which are mostly used at present, urgently require alternatives due to their confirmed and serious health risks. In this study, the green mass production of trans-aconitic acid was achieved via synthetic biotechnology and microbial fermentation, which was further expanded to multiple application scenarios using chemical esterification, resulting in trans-aconitate plasticizers that are biosafe and environmentally friendly and have high plasticizing efficiency and long-term stability. Different plasticizers with various core structures and alkyl chains were studied to determine their properties as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticizers, and tributyl trans-aconitate (TBA) displayed the best comprehensive performance with up to 1.24 plasticizing efficiency. The possible PVC plasticization mechanism with synergistic solvent, support, and shielding effects was discussed and summarized. Tributyl trans-aconitate has significant potential to replace traditional PVC plasticizers in general merchandise, food packaging, medicinal materials, and other products, further promoting the development of the high-quality plastic industry with greener technology and safer applications.