Green Chemistry Strategies to Enhance the Thermal Stability of PVC: A State-of-the-Art Overview on Plant Oil-Derived Stabilizers

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) finds use in various industries due to its versatility but is not thermostable, serving as a barrier to causing degradation and release of hydrochloric acid (HCl) under heat stress conditions. Lead and organotin compounds have traditionally been used for stabilizer purpose to discourage such degradation but pose serious ecological as well as health risks. As a counter measure, bio-based stabilizers from plant oils have become popular as a green and sustainable alternative. This review looks back at recent developments in plant oil-based stabilizers for PVC, focusing on the mechanisms of stabilization, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. We review plant oils such as tung oil, castor oil, and soybean oil, with their ability to improve the thermal stability of PVC. Although promising outcomes, there are still challenges to overcome, such as compatibility with the PVC matrix and scalability. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the current status of plant oil-based stabilizers and provides insights into directions for future research.