Long term stabilization of PE by the controlled release of a natural antioxidant from halloysite nanotubes

Abstract

A natural antioxidant, quercetin, was adsorbed on the surface of halloysite nanotubes in various amounts to prepare a controlled release device. The combined additive was added to polyethylene providing antioxidant levels of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm. All polymer samples contained 1000 ppm Sandostab PEPQ phosphonite secondary antioxidant as well. The stabilizing efficiency of quercetin was determined in processing experiments and by accelerated ageing. Quercetin proved to be a very efficient stabilizer of polyethylene. The use of the halloysite nanotube support resulted in more homogeneous dispersion and facilitated the dissolution of the compound in the polymer. Because of the high energy of halloysite surface, the stabilizer adhered to it very strongly and did not dissolve in polyethylene below a critical concentration. The melt stabilization efficiency of quercetin did not decrease in the presence of the halloysite support. The efficiency of long term stabilization decreased somewhat, but halloysite nanotubes pretreated with the stabilizer possessed a controlled release function, ageing was slower in their presence than with separately dispersed components or in the absence of the halloysite.

Self-Assembly of Protamine Biomacromolecule on Halloysite Nanotubes for Immobilization of Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme

“…The general conclusion was that HNT is a promising candidate for enzyme delivery processes; however, the substrate diffusion into the lumen and product release from it are often the limits of the HNT application as a carrier in enzyme immobilization. The HNTs have already proven to act as sufficient delivery agents for molecular antioxidants such as quercetin, 26 curcumin, 27 and resveratrol, 28 nevertheless, immobilization of antioxidant enzymes was not reported so far.…”

Characterization of linear low‐density polyethylene and halloysite nanotube (LLDPE/HNT) composites based on two‐roll calendering melt fabrication

“…Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used thermoplastic polymer with applications in food packaging, cable and wire coatings, and agricultural industries. PE nanocomposites with HNTs showed unique and advanced engineering properties in addition to mechanical, thermal, and rheological improvements 4–10 . Tas et al reported that PE/HNT nanocomposite films can greatly contribute to food safety as an active food packaging material which can increase the shelf life of fresh food products and improve the quality of food products while limiting the consumption of chemical preservatives by increasing ethylene scavenging capacity and decreasing oxygen and water vapor transmission rates 11 .…”

“…PE nanocomposites with HNTs showed unique and advanced engineering properties in addition to mechanical, thermal, and rheological improvements. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Tas et al reported that PE/HNT nanocomposite films can greatly contribute to food safety as an active food packaging material which can increase the shelf life of fresh food products and improve the quality of food products while limiting the consumption of chemical preservatives by increasing ethylene scavenging capacity and decreasing oxygen and water vapor transmission rates. 11 Furthermore, due to the nontoxic nature of HNTs, they are a far better candidate than expensive and toxic tubular fillers like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), especially for food packaging applications.…”

Enabling Superior Thermo–Oxidative Resistance Elastomers Based on a Structure Recovery Strategy

“…[ 11,12 ] To circumvent this problem, capturing free radicals (aromatic amines, phenols, and loaded antioxidants) is the most common way for anti‐aging. [ 13–20 ] However, the problem that the damaged structure brings about the deterioration of properties is not solved by the conventional anti‐aging methods. [ 21–23 ] To date, it remains a huge challenge to make up for the deterioration of properties caused by the damaged structure.…”