Journal of Chromatography & Separation Techniques
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7064
ISSN: 2157-7064
Yui-Bing Lee, S H Leung, T L Chow, M S Wu, Y C Leung, C F Lai and T W Liu
Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Chromatogr Sep Tech
Plasticizers are an important class of polymer additives, which can help to improve the flexibility and mechanical properties of polymers by lowering the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer. However, in recent years, petroleum based polymers additives, such as phthalate plasticizers, are gradually fading out in the European Union and other major countries due to their high toxicity and environmental impact. One of the mostly concern plasticizers is the phthalate family. Although plasticizers can modify the properties of polymer, these organic molecules are not tightly bound to polymer itself. They were found to be readily migrated out from the polymers during the life time of the polymers and then released into the environment and human body. Therefore, the design of new non-toxic plasticizers for polymer (in particular PVC) used in food packaging, medical use and children products is of particular high concern, as the potential for migration of plasticizers in these products is relatively high. Several studies have already proven that epoxidized or esterified triglyceride vegetable oils (including but not limited to soybean oil, linseed oil, castor oil, sunflower oil and palm oil) can give promising results as primary or secondary plasticizers in the production of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC). From recent studies, it was found that when hydrophobic tails of the triglyceride bear more polar functional groups (such as ΓΆΒ?Β?OH and C=O) can help to enhance the compatibility of the plasticizers with polar polymers i.e., polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, toxicity study has shown that epoxidized vegetable oil will impose health issues to liver, kidney, testis and uterus of rats. This project uses HPLC as the analytical instrumentation on the analysis of the structural change and molecular weight distribution of a new series of bio-based plasticizers from modified vegetable oils with high degree unsaturation enhance the biodegradability and stability of vinyl polymers.
Yui-Bing Lee has her expertise in analytical chemistry and product testing and certification. She obtained her PhD from the University of Hong Kong, majoring in Organometallic Chemistry. She has been working on green product development, analytical instrumentations and product testing. She is currently working in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong as a Teaching Fellow.
Email: ann.lee@vtc.edu.hk