By joshua 
Lanre Soliu Tijani, M.Sc. ( Chemistry, University of Benin, 2018)
Lanre Tijani is a multidisciplinary chemist with a strong academic and research background in industrial chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, and materials science. He earned his master’s degree in industrial chemistry from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial chemistry from the Tai Solarin University of Education, Nigeria. The postgraduate research was conducted in collaboration with the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN), Iyanomo, Benin City, where he focused on developing sustainable industrial applications through bio-based polymer stabilisers and green chemistry innovations. His ongoing research interests include eco-friendly chemical processes, material optimisation, and the development of floating drug delivery systems aimed at increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing efficiency in Nigeria. Driven by a passion for sustainability and innovation, he continues to explore ways to integrate environmental responsibility with advancements in industrial and pharmaceutical sectors.
The research project was conducted as part of the MSc programme at the University of Benin. The study was driven by the growing need to replace toxic heavy-metal stabilisers such as lead and cadmium in PVC manufacturing with environmentally friendly, renewable alternatives. Conventional stabilisers, although effective, pose health and ecological risks and are facing increasing regulatory restrictions under environmental standards such as REACH and RoHS. This research sought to explore epoxidized Jatropha seed oil (EJSO), derived from the non-edible Jatropha curcas plant, as a sustainable additive capable of improving the thermal stability of PVC. The justification for the study rests on Nigeria’s abundant Jatropha resources, which offer a promising bio-based route to produce safer industrial stabilisers while simultaneously promoting local agro-industrial growth and environmental conservation.
The main aim of this research was to develop and evaluate an eco-friendly stabiliser from Jatropha seed oil and to assess its efficiency in protecting PVC against thermal degradation. The objectives included the extraction and epoxidation of Jatropha oil, characterisation of its chemical properties, and evaluation of its stabilising performance under elevated temperatures (180-190°C). The experimental work was carried out at two key locations: the End Use Laboratory at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Benin City, Edo State, and the Postgraduate Laboratory of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The End Use Laboratory provided the necessary facilities for polymer testing, thermal degradation studies, and analytical assessments, while the Postgraduate Laboratory supported advanced chemical synthesis, epoxidation procedures, and spectroscopic characterisations (FT-IR and UV-Visible analysis). The synergy between both laboratories ensured precise, replicable, and reliable experimental results for this study.
The study successfully demonstrated that epoxidized Jatropha seed oil (EJSO) can act as an effective thermal stabiliser for PVC. Chemical characterisation confirmed successful epoxidation of the oil, with a measurable oxirane content and improved oxidative stability. When incorporated into PVC samples and subjected to heat at 180-190°C, EJSO significantly delayed the onset of degradation and reduced discolouration compared to unstabilised samples. UV-Visible analysis showed a decrease in absorbance intensity and a shift of maximum wavelength from approximately 304 nm to 295 nm, indicating reduced formation of conjugated double bonds responsible for thermal degradation. These findings establish EJSO as a viable renewable substitute for synthetic stabilisers, capable of enhancing product longevity while maintaining environmental safety.
In conclusion, the epoxidized Jatropha seed oil produced and evaluated in this research represents a sustainable, biodegradable, and non-toxic alternative to conventional PVC stabilisers. The findings provide a foundation for the industrial adoption of bio-based stabilisers in Nigeria’s polymer and plastics sectors. It is recommended that future work focus on optimising the epoxidation process to improve oxirane yield and exploring synergistic effects with commercial stabilisers such as calcium and zinc stearates. Pilot-scale production and field trials are also encouraged to assess commercial feasibility. This study contributes meaningfully to the growing field of green polymer chemistry and reflects Nigeria’s potential to harness indigenous renewable resources for environmentally responsible manufacturing.