Application of β-carotene, a Natural Flavonoid Dye, to Polymeric Materials as a Natural Antioxidant and Determination of Its Characteristics Using Cyclic Voltammetry and FTIR Spectroscopy

摘要

The electrochemical oxidation of -carotene was investigated at a Pt electrode using CV and DPVvoltammetry methods. The electrooxidation of -carotene is a diffusion-controlled, irreversiblereaction. The effects of the scan rate on the electrode reactions and the parameters for the electro- oxidation of the substrate were determined. The obtained results confirm the exchange of two electronsduring the first step followed by a chemical reaction, indicating that the electro-oxidation of -caroteneoccurs according to the EC mechanism. A possible mechanism for the electrooxidation of -carotenewas proposed. The effect of -carotene on stabilising composites consisting of a thermoplasticcopolymer of ethylene and norbornene (Topas E-140), was also investigated. The addition of thisnatural pigment improved the resistance of the Topas material to the effects of climatic conditions,such as UV radiation, elevated temperature and humidity. Additionally, -carotene served the role asan index of the ageing time.