Novel environmentally sustainable cardanol-based plasticizers: synthesis and properties

A series of novel plasticizers derived from cardanol, a well-known renewable organic resource as the main by-product of the cashew industry, have been synthesized and characterized. These cardanol-based plasticizers can greatly decrease the glass transition temperature of poly(vinyl chloride); furthermore, these plasticizers exhibit excellent migration stability and good biodegradability. We believe these may help researchers solve the environmental problems caused by cardanol, and to design and explore novel promising environmentally sustainable cardanol-based plasticizers with excellent properties. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry