An Antioxidant Bioinspired Phenolic Polymer for Efficient Stabilization of Polyethylene

Abstract

The synthesis, structural characterization and properties of a new bioinspired phenolic polymer (polyCAME) produced by oxidative polymerization of caffeic acid methyl ester (CAME) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-H2O2 is reported as a new sustainable stabilizer toward polyethylene (PE) thermal and photo-oxidative degradation. PolyCAME exhibits high stability toward decarboxylation and oxidative degradation during the thermal processes associated with PE film preparation. Characterization of PE films by thermal methods, photo-oxidative treatments combined with chemiluminescence, and FTIR spectroscopy and mechanical tests indicate a significant effect of polyCAME on PE durability. Data from antioxidant capacity tests suggest that the protective effects of polyCAME are due to the potent scavenging activity on aggressive OH radicals, the efficient H-atom donor properties inducing free radical quenching, and the ferric ion reducing ability. PolyCAME is thus proposed as a novel easily accessible, eco-friendly, and biocompatible biomaterial for a sustainable approach to the stabilization of PE films in packaging and other applications.

Pros and cons of melt annealing on the properties of MWCNT/polypropylene composites

“…In the same figure, the difference spectrum is also reported, evidencing a relevant increase of the absorption intensity in the carbonyl stretching region. In particular, bands at 1740 and 1712 cm À1 appeared after annealing due to the formation of ester and carboxylic acid groups [43,44]. Moreover, the presence of a weak absorption band centred at 1780 cm À1 , attributed to the formation of peresters or g-lactones was also revealed [20].…”

Powering tyrosol antioxidant capacity and osteogenic activity by biocatalytic polymerization

“…Although increasing interest is currently being focused on the manifold technological opportunities offered by bioinspired phenolic polymers, e.g. for the preparation of resins and coatings [14][15][16] or for the stabilization of polymers, 17,18 comparatively less attention has so far been devoted to the use of polymers of natural phenolics as antioxidant additives for biocompatible scaffolds for biomedical applications, e.g. tissue engineering and bone regeneration.…”

Natural Phenol Polymers: Recent Advances in Food and Health Applications

“…Horseradish and soybean peroxidase were used for polymerization of m -cresol [76], cardanol [77] and guaiacol [78]. Other relevant examples of bioinspired phenolic polymers include poly(caffeic acid methyl ester) [79], poly(pyrogallic acid) [80,81] and polytyrosol [82] (Figure 5). …”

“…Phenol polymers obtained by oxidation of monomers like guaiacol [78], pyrogallol [80,81], 4-methoxyphenol [154] or methyl caffeate [79] typically using peroxidase are able to increase the oxidation induction time of polypropylene or polyethylene under biomimetic conditions.…”