Eco-friendly synthesis of PET-based polymeric plasticiser and its application in nitrile-PVC rubber blends

We report a robust synthesis of polymeric plasticiser from the post-consumer plastic waste, i.e. poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and its subsequent use as plasticiser for preparation of nitrile rubber (NBR) and nitrile-PVC rubber blends. PET waste was depolymerised by alcoholysis with the help of 1-decanol. The obtained oligomeric plasticiser was characterised for its chemical structure using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The prepared polymeric plasticiser was then used for the preparation of nitrile and nitrile-PVC blend rubber sheets. NBR and nitrile-PVC blend rubber sheets were also prepared by using dioctyl phthalate as plasticiser. The fabricated sheets were compared for their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness. The effect of ageing on mechanical properties was also analysed. It was observed that the use of polymeric plasticiser resulted in significant improvement in tensile properties and ageing resistance. This eco-friendly synthesis of plasticiser offers its use for high-performance applications.