Influence of a Natural Plant Antioxidant on the Ageing Process of Ethylene-norbornene Copolymer (Topas)

Abstract

In the field of polymer technology, a variety of mainly synthetic additives are used to stabilize the materials during processing. However, natural compounds of plant origin can be a green alternative to chemicals such as synthetic polyphenols. An analysis of the effect of hesperidin on the aging behavior of ethylene-norbornene copolymer was performed. The evaluation of changes in the tested samples was possible by applying the following tests: determination of the surface energy and OIT values, mechanical properties analysis, colour change measurements, FT-IR and TGA analyses. The obtained results proved that hesperidin can be effectively used as natural stabilizer for polymers. Furthermore, as a result of this compound addition to Topas-silica composites, their surface and physico-mechanical properties have been improved and the resistance to aging significantly increased. Additionally, hesperidin can act as a dye or colour indicator and only few scientific reports describe a possibility of using flavonoids to detect changes in products during their service life, e.g., in food packaging. In the available literature, there is no information about the potential use of hesperidin as a stabilizer for cycloolefin copolymers. Therefore, this approach may contribute not only to the current state of knowledge, but also presents an eco-friendly solution that can be a good alternative to synthetic stabilizers.

Biocomposites of Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Poly(Lactic Acid) Modified with Natural Substances: Influence of Biomolecules on the Aging Properties (Part II)

“…Recently, our team has proven that apart from the above-mentioned plant-derived compounds, hesperidin, which can be found in various citric fruits, may play the role of the effective anti-aging factor in silica-filled ethylene-norbornene copolymer (EN) based materials. Not only did it prohibit the carbonyl groups’ formation during the performed 400-h-long weathering aging, but also hesperidin prevented the loss of the mechanical properties of the polymer composite during weathering (initial tensile strength of the blends at the level of 40 MPa; after 400 h of aging: approximately 10 MPa for EN + silica and 30 MPa while hesperidin added) [ 44 ].…”

Comparison of Aging Resistance and Antimicrobial Properties of Ethylene–Norbornene Copolymer and Poly(Lactic Acid) Impregnated with Phytochemicals Embodied in Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

“…To examine the aging characteristics of modified materials, specimens of ethylene–norbornene copolymer and poly(lactic acid) impregnated with natural substances were subjected to solar aging lasting for, respectively, 300 h and 100 h. The differences in aging time are dictated by the different environmental resistances of the two materials [ 63 , 64 ].…”

“…Noteworthily, the hardness of the PLA samples also increased after the aging process. However, changes in mechanical properties of PLA-based specimens might be assigned not only to the oxidation processes, but also to temperature- and radiation-enhanced crystallization process [ 63 , 64 ].…”

Investigation into the Effect of Spinel Pigments on the Photostability and Combustion Properties of Ethylene-Norbornene Copolymer

“…Other characteristic absorbance maximums observed for EN, such as 2915 and 2847 cm −1 , might be related to the stretching vibration of CH 2 . The peak at 1462 cm −1 can be assigned to vibrations of C-O-C, and the band at 718 cm −1 is typical for CH 2 rocking vibrations [ 44 ].…”