The plasticizers used in this study were synthesized from renewable raw materials using succinic acid, oleic acid, and propylene glycol. Four environmentally friendly plasticizer samples were obtained; their chemical structures and compositions were confirmed by gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR) analyses, and their physicochemical properties and thermal stability (TGA analysis) were investigated. The obtained ester mixtures were used as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticizers and their plasticization efficiency was determined in comparison to traditional, commercially available phthalate plasticizers, such as DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl phthalate) and DINP (diisononyl phthalate). Mechanical properties and migration resistance were determined for soft PVC with the use of three concentrations of plasticizers (40 PHR, 50 PHR, and 60 PHR). It was observed that the obtained plasticizers exhibited the same plasticization efficiency and were characterized with good mechanical and physical properties in comparison to commercial plasticizers. The tensile strength was approx. 19 MPa, while the elongation at break was approx. 250% for all tested plasticizers at a concentration of 50 PHR. Furthermore, plasticizer migration studies showed that the synthesized plasticizers had excellent resistance to plasticizer leaching. The best migration test result obtained was 70% lower than that for DEHP or DINP. The ester mixture that was found to be the most favorable plasticizer was characterized by good thermal and thermo-oxidative stability (5% weight loss temperature: 227.8 °C in air and 261.1 °C in nitrogen). The results of the research clearly indicate that the synthesized esters can provide a green alternative to toxic phthalate plasticizers.

Chitosan/starch-based composites were prepared by thermomechanical processing as an alternative to the traditional solution method, with the aim of fabricating environmentally friendly materials on a larger scale. Different contents and types of lignin and poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA were incorporated into chitosan/starch compositions to improve their mechanical properties. It was demonstrated that the presence of both lignin and PVA increases the values of tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites. Moreover, it was observed that by the selection of a type of lignin and PVA, it was possible to tailor the internal microstructure of the samples. As observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, the introduction of lignin and PVA resulted in the formation of a smooth surface and homogeneous samples.

This study presents an efficient process for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from soybean oil through hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and hydroisomerization (HI). The research utilized a commercial nickel catalyst for the HDO step, and a newly developed platinum catalyst supported on SAPO-11 zeolite for the hydroisomerization (HI) stage. The process parameters, including temperature and pressure, were optimized to maximize conversion efficiency and meet ASTM D7566 standards. The results indicate that the HDO process using the nickel catalyst achieved a high yield of n-alkanes (97.8% ± 0.4%) with complete conversion of triglycerides. In the subsequent hydroisomerization step, the platinum catalyst demonstrated excellent selectivity for Jet-A1 fuel, yielding a bio-jet fraction of 87.5% ± 1.6% in a 200 h continuous test. This study also highlights the minimal coking phenomena and high catalyst stability throughout the process. This work suggests that soybean oil, as a readily available feedstock, could significantly contribute to the production of SAF and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. Additionally, the optimization of temperature and pressure conditions is crucial for enhancing the yield and quality of the final bio-jet product.