FTIR analysis of the pure plasticizer was performed to study the interactions between ESBO and PVC. The full identification of peaks was obtained (Table 2), showing the presence of the epoxy group at 823 and 1240 cm1 [32e34] as the most remarkable peaks.
As indicated in the introduction, ESBO acts simultaneously as plasticizer and stabilizer of the PVC matrix. Therefore, the stabili- zation reaction referred to in Fig. 1 for cured plastisols can be also monitored by using FTIR. The disappearance of the peak at 823 cm1 (Fig. 2) characteristic of the epoxide ring in PVCeESBO