Antioxidant effectiveness of vitamin E in HDPE and tetradecane at 32℃

摘要

Vitamin E was found to be a very effective antioxidant both in a model, liquid alkane, (teradecane) and in HDPE when oxida- tions at close to room temperature were initiated with y-radiation. FTIR was used to follow changes in vitamin E in oxidising tetradecane and HDPE, even at very low concentrations of the antioxidant. Formation of isolated hydroperoxide groups as a direct result of the vitamin E-peroxyl radical reaction were clearly visible. Quinone products from vitamin E were formed during γ-irra- diation, but different quinones were formed depending on the vitamin E concentrations. Vitamin E quite effectively retarded the oxidation of HDPE during y-irradiation and so should be useful in polyethylene intended for radiation sterilisation, as packaging materials or medical devices. Crown copyright