Modification of Polycaprolactone with Plant Extracts to Improve the Aging Resistance

Abstract

Natural extracts of plant origin are used as anti-aging compounds of biodegradable polymers. Coffee, cocoa, or cinnamon extracts in amounts from 0.5 to 10 wt.% were added to the polycaprolactone matrix. The manufactured materials were aged at elevated temperatures with increased relative humidity and continuous exposure to UV radiation for 720, 1440, or 2160 h. The performance of the proposed extracts was compared with the retail anti-aging compound, butylated hydroxytoluene. Visual assessment, FTIR analysis, melt flow rate, tensile strength, impact tensile strength, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry tests were conducted. Results showed that the use of lower contents of the tested extracts is particularly advantageous. When the content of the extract did not exceed 1 wt.%, no unfavorable influence on the properties of the materials was observed. The stabilizing performance during accelerated aging was mostly similar to or greater than that of the reference compound used.

The Aging of Polymers under Electromagnetic Radiation

“…The results suggest that polymers' performance against UV radiation can also benefit from enhanced communication structures, which elevate their anti-aging properties. Similar findings by Moraczewski et al [18] and Kockott [10] recommend the use of antiaging compounds to safeguard polymers from adverse UV radiations that cause aging, emphasizing the potential use of plant extracts to enhance aging resistance in polycaprolactone, thereby allowing polymers to be resistant to aging [18]. Some of these anti-aging components can be obtained abundantly from the natural extracts of coffee, cocoa, and cinnamon [18].…”

“…However, anti-aging components can be used to shield polymers from degradation. For instance, Moraczewski et al [ 18 ] examined the possibility of modifying polycaprolactone using plant extracts to enhance its aging resistance. The findings suggest that natural extracts from coffee, cocoa, and cinnamon could be used to provide anti-aging components for biodegradable polymers [ 18 ].…”

“…For instance, Moraczewski et al [ 18 ] examined the possibility of modifying polycaprolactone using plant extracts to enhance its aging resistance. The findings suggest that natural extracts from coffee, cocoa, and cinnamon could be used to provide anti-aging components for biodegradable polymers [ 18 ]. The aging experimentation of these polymeric materials is usually conducted at elevated temperatures, coupled with high relative humidity as well as consistent exposure to ultraviolet radiation for extensive hours [ 18 ].…”

“…The findings suggest that natural extracts from coffee, cocoa, and cinnamon could be used to provide anti-aging components for biodegradable polymers [ 18 ]. The aging experimentation of these polymeric materials is usually conducted at elevated temperatures, coupled with high relative humidity as well as consistent exposure to ultraviolet radiation for extensive hours [ 18 ]. This argument concurs with the perspective of Kockott [ 10 ], who indicated that polymeric materials like plastics, varnishes, and textiles alter their chemical and physical properties based on the parameters to which they are exposed.…”

Nanofibrous ε-Polycaprolactone Matrices Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Humulus lupulus L. Extract: Physicochemical and Biological Characterization for Oral Applications

“…Other research [56] also demonstrated that compared with fibers without any plant extract, fibers including a plant extract had a decrease in Young's modulus and variation in the percentage of tensile deformation. This phenomenon also depends on the properties of the natural compounds incorporated into the fibers [57,58], and the increase or decrease in these parameters may be attributed to the different chemical interactions of the metabolites with the polymer [56]. The ANOVA analysis shows that there is no significant difference in the tensile deformation between the analyzed samples.…”