Modification of Polycaprolactone with Plant Extracts to Improve the Aging Resistance

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.

Automated summary

In this study, natural extracts from coffee, cocoa, or cinnamon were added to a polycaprolactone matrix as anti-aging compounds. The performance of these extracts was compared to a retail anti-aging compound. Results showed that lower concentrations of the tested extracts were advantageous, with no negative impact on material properties observed at content below 1 wt.%. The stabilizing performance of the extracts during accelerated aging was mostly similar to or better than the reference compound used.