Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism

Zhuo-Kai Wang; Ying-Yong Jiang; Wen-Nan Du; Yao-Bin Wang; Xing-Chen Bai; Cheng-Wei Song; Zhi-Peng Jiang; Liang Ren; Sai-Nan Cui; Feng-Xiang Gao

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3698-2

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Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-08-31

- Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism
- Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science 2026年44卷第9期页码：3075-3091
- Affiliations：
  
  a.School of Chemical Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130102, China
  b.Engineering Research Center for synthetic resin and special fiber, Ministry of Education, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130102, China
  c.Research Institute of Jilin Petrochemical Company, PetroChina, Jilin 132012, China
  d.Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun, Institute of Applied Chemistry CAS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Author bio：
  
  renl@ccut.edu.cn (L.R.)
  gfx26@ciac.ac.cn (F.X.G.)
- Funds：
  
  This work was financially supported by the Jilin Provincial Scientific and Technological Development Program (No. 20240301030GX) and the Changchun Science and Technology Planning Project (No. 24GXYSZZ41).;The authors declare no interest conflict.The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3698-2
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2026-01-28，
  
  录用：2026-04-04，
  
  网络首发：2026-05-20，
  
  纸质出版：2026-09-05
- Accepted：
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Wang, Z. K.; Jiang, Y. Y.; Du, W. N.; Wang, Y. B.; Bai, X. C.; Song, C. W.; Jiang, Z. P.; Ren, L.; Cui, S. N.; Gao, F. X. Epoxy-functionalized cyclohexane-based ricinoleate plasticizer: synthesis, performance evaluation, and plasticizing mechanism. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3075–3091

Zhuo-Kai Wang, Ying-Yong Jiang, Wen-Nan Du, et al. Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(9): 3075-3091.
Wang, Z. K.; Jiang, Y. Y.; Du, W. N.; Wang, Y. B.; Bai, X. C.; Song, C. W.; Jiang, Z. P.; Ren, L.; Cui, S. N.; Gao, F. X. Epoxy-functionalized cyclohexane-based ricinoleate plasticizer: synthesis, performance evaluation, and plasticizing mechanism. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3075–3091 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3698-2.

Zhuo-Kai Wang, Ying-Yong Jiang, Wen-Nan Du, et al. Epoxy-functionalized Cyclohexane-based Ricinoleate Plasticizer: Synthesis, Performance Evaluation, and Plasticizing Mechanism[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(9): 3075-3091. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3698-2.

摘要

A novel molecular design integrating flexible non-edible backbone

alicyclic rigid core

and epoxy groups breaks the performance-sustainability trade-off. The optimal plasticizer lowers

of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) by 30%

increases elongation

50-fold

and improves efficiency by 20.7% versus DOTP.

Abstract

The molecular design of bio-based plasticizers often involves a trade-off between key performance and sustainability. Herein

we propose a novel molecular design strategy that breaks this contradiction by integrating a flexible backbone derived from non-edible sources

sustainable alicyclic rigid core

and epoxy groups. A series of epoxy-functionalized cyclohexane-based ricinoleate plasticizers

epoxyacetyl ricinoleic

acid cyclohexanol ester (EACHR)

epoxyacetyl ricinoleic acid cyclohexanediol ester (EACHDR)

and epoxyacetyl ricinoleic acid cyclohexanedimethanol ester (EACHDMR)

were synthesized. When evaluated in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as a demanding validation platform

the optimal plasticizer (EACHDMR) achieved comprehensive performance

which reduced the glass transition temperature (

) by 30%

increased the elongation at break by more than 50-fold

and enhanced the notched impact strength by over 35-fold compared to an unplasticized PVC sample. Importantly

EACHDMR exhibited lower migration and 20.7% higher plasticizing efficiency than the commercial benchmark dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP). This study demonstrated that by rationally integrating rigid cores

flexible fatty acid chains

and polar groups

it is possible to successfully balance performance and sustainability

providing a new design strategy for developing high-performance and sustainable alternatives to traditional plasticizers.

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