Natural polyphenols as pro-ecological antioxidants and pigments for polymer composites

摘要

In our studies, we propose the use of natural, pro-ecological substances such as polyphenols to protect elastomers against ageing. This natural compounds were incorporated into ethylene- norbornene (COC-material is commercially available under the name of TOPAS); then, the composites of TOPAS containing the antioxidant under investigation were subjected to ageing processes. The changes in deformation energy, colour and cross-linking density and OIT index of the composites of TOPAS were measured before and after each ageing process. The test results obtained show that all applied flavonoids have a very positive influence on the stability of the TOPAS, protecting them against the negative effects of ageing. In addition to its anti-oxidative function, flavonoids change the colour of the final polymeric product, fulfilling the role of a natural pigment. Thus, natural polyphenolic compunds are not only a natural antioxidant but also a pigment in the polymers (natural indicators of ageing time), imparting to them the features of pro-ecological materials.