LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, the epoxidation process and the ring-opening reaction were integrated to develop an efficient bio-based plasticizer in a continuous flow mode. Four novel plasticizers based on epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) were prepared through integration of epoxidation catalyzed by α-Al2O3·H2O and ring-opening reaction with H2SO4 as a catalyst. α-Al2O3·H2O with different D50 values was applied in the epoxidation reaction to investigate the role of particle size in the catalytic efficiency. Reasonable combination and arrangement of micromixers and flow reactors promoted the epoxidation reaction. Modified micro-flow system consisting of two micro-mixers and fixed bed flow reactors was applied in the epoxidation process, yielding ESO with an oxirane value of 6.1. Four as-prepared plasticizers were compared comprehensively based on mechanical property. Introduction of different bonds into the skeleton of ESO resulted in different mechanical performance.