Plasticizer Migration of Acetate Polyglycerol in the Thermoplastic Matrix Polypropylene and Polyethylene

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 17 views

Plasticizer Migration of Acetate Polyglycerol in the Thermoplastic Matrix Polypropylene and Polyethylene

Introduction

Plasticizer migration is a phenomenon that occurs due to plasticizer diffusion to the surface of the polymer. This process can cause exudation, where the plasticizer moves to the contact media. The impact, not only reducing the plasticizer content, which in turn results in a decrease in physical and mechanical properties of the material flashed out, but can also cause media contamination by the plasticizer. Understanding plasticizer migration is crucial in the development of plastic products, as it affects the quality and safety of the final product.

In this study, we examine the migration of plasticizer acetate (PGA) and Diochtile Ftalat (DOP) migration in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) thermoplastic films during storage. Research also examines the level of PGA and DOP contamination in PP and PE films due to immersion in water media and vegetable oil. The goal of this study is to provide important information about migration and plasticizer contamination in thermoplastic films, which can be used to develop a plasticizer migration and contamination reduction strategy.

Methodology

Migration analysis is carried out by the migration test method. In this test, the PGA/DOP mixture specimen film with the PP/PE matrix is attached to a film that does not contain a plasticizer (three sheets). Then, the specimen is pressed, clamped, and left for 30 days. After that, the specimen is weighed and characterized using FT-IR. The FT-IR analysis provides information about the chemical structure of the plasticizer and the polymer, which is essential in understanding the migration process.

The contamination test was carried out by soaking the film Mixed PGA/DOP specimen with the PP/PE matrix in water media and vegetable oil for 30 days. Furthermore, the specimen is weighed and characterized using FT-IR. The contamination test provides information about the level of plasticizer contamination in the PP and PE films due to immersion in water media and vegetable oil.

Results

The results showed that the PGA plasticizer migration to layer 1 of the PP film reached 0.1682% and to layer 1 of the PE film reached 0.1344% for 30 days of storage. Meanwhile, the migration of the plasticizer DOP to layer 1 of the PP film reaches 0.2463%, to layer 2 of the PP film reaches 0.0394%, to layer 1 of the PE film reaches 0.7782%, and to layer 2 of the PE film reaches 0.3462% for 30 days of storage. The results show that the migration of PGA and DOP plasticizers in PP and PE films is significant, and it increases with the length of time storage.

Plasticizer PGA contamination by water media in the PP matrix reaches an average of 4.5101% and the PE matrix reaches an average of 1.4640% for 30 days soaking. Meanwhile, in vegetable oil media, PGA contamination in the PP matrix reaches an average of 0.9758% and the PE matrix reaches an average of 0.1583% for 30 days immersion. The results show that the level of PGA contamination in PP and PE films due to immersion in water media and vegetable oil is significant.

Plasticizer DOP contamination by water media in the PP matrix reaches an average of 0.4264% and the PE matrix reaches an average of 1.0473% for 30 days immersion. In vegetable oil media, DOP contamination in the PP matrix reaches an average of 6.1069% and the PE matrix reaches an average of 2,6489% for 30 days soaking. The results show that the level of DOP contamination in PP and PE films due to immersion in water media and vegetable oil is significant.

Discussion

Research shows that the number of plasticizers migrated to the PP matrix and PE increases with the length of time storage. Based on the FT-IR spectrum, the C = O group provides a better contribution to the effectiveness of the interaction of plasticizer compounds with the PP and PE chains compared to the C-O and C = C = C group. The results of this study provide important information about migration and plasticizer contamination in thermoplastic films.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide important information about migration and plasticizer contamination in thermoplastic films. This data can be used to develop a plasticizer migration and contamination reduction strategy, so as to improve the quality and safety of plastic products. Further research is needed to study the effect of various factors such as temperature, plasticizer concentration, and types of contact media on migration and plasticizer contamination.

Suggestion

Further research is needed to study the effect of various factors such as temperature, plasticizer concentration, and types of contact media on migration and plasticizer contamination. This study can also be expanded by reviewing the method of reducing migration and plasticizer contamination, such as the use of non-migration plasticizers or thermoplastic film surface modification. The development of plastic products with reduced migration and contamination is crucial in ensuring the quality and safety of the final product.

References

[1] Plasticizer migration in polypropylene and polyethylene films during storage.
[2] Contamination of polypropylene and polyethylene films due to immersion in water media and vegetable oil.
[3] FT-IR analysis of plasticizer and polymer interaction.
[4] Effect of temperature, plasticizer concentration, and types of contact media on migration and plasticizer contamination.

Future Work

Q: What is plasticizer migration?

A: Plasticizer migration is a phenomenon that occurs due to plasticizer diffusion to the surface of the polymer. This process can cause exudation, where the plasticizer moves to the contact media. The impact, not only reducing the plasticizer content, which in turn results in a decrease in physical and mechanical properties of the material flashed out, but can also cause media contamination by the plasticizer.

Q: What are the causes of plasticizer migration?

A: The causes of plasticizer migration include:

Temperature: High temperatures can accelerate the migration of plasticizers.
Plasticizer concentration: High concentrations of plasticizers can increase the rate of migration.
Types of contact media: Different types of contact media can affect the rate of migration.
Time: The longer the time, the higher the rate of migration.

Q: What are the effects of plasticizer migration?

A: The effects of plasticizer migration include:

Reduction of plasticizer content: The migration of plasticizers can reduce the plasticizer content in the polymer, leading to a decrease in physical and mechanical properties.
Media contamination: The migration of plasticizers can contaminate the contact media, leading to environmental and health concerns.
Decrease in product quality: The migration of plasticizers can decrease the quality of the final product.

Q: How can plasticizer migration be prevented or reduced?

A: Plasticizer migration can be prevented or reduced by:

Using non-migration plasticizers: Some plasticizers are designed to be non-migratory, reducing the risk of migration.
Surface modification: Surface modification of the thermoplastic film can reduce the rate of migration.
Using a barrier layer: A barrier layer can be applied to the thermoplastic film to prevent the migration of plasticizers.
Controlling temperature and time: Controlling temperature and time can reduce the rate of migration.

Q: What are the consequences of plasticizer migration?

A: The consequences of plasticizer migration include:

Environmental concerns: The migration of plasticizers can contaminate the environment, leading to environmental concerns.
Health concerns: The migration of plasticizers can contaminate the contact media, leading to health concerns.
Economic concerns: The migration of plasticizers can decrease the quality of the final product, leading to economic concerns.

Q: How can plasticizer migration be detected?

A: Plasticizer migration can be detected by:

FT-IR analysis: FT-IR analysis can detect the presence of plasticizers in the contact media.
GC-MS analysis: GC-MS analysis can detect the presence of plasticizers in the contact media.
Visual inspection: Visual inspection can detect the presence of plasticizers in the contact media.

Q: What are the regulations regarding plasticizer migration?

A: The regulations regarding plasticizer migration vary depending on the country and industry. However, some common regulations include:

EU regulations: The EU has regulations regarding the use of plasticizers in food packaging.
FDA regulations: The FDA has regulations regarding the use of plasticizers in food packaging.
Industry standards: Industry standards, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), can also regulate the use of plasticizers.

Q: What are the future directions for research on plasticizer migration?

A: The future directions for research on plasticizer migration include:

Developing new non-migration plasticizers: Researchers are working on developing new plasticizers that are non-migratory.
Improving surface modification techniques: Researchers are working on improving surface modification techniques to reduce the rate of migration.
Developing new barrier layers: Researchers are working on developing new barrier layers to prevent the migration of plasticizers.
Studying the effects of temperature and time: Researchers are studying the effects of temperature and time on plasticizer migration.