A novel class of high molecular weight multifunctional antioxidants for polymers based on thiol-ene click reaction

Novel bifunctional antioxidants (AO) with high molecular weight were successfully synthesized by two-step free-radical thiol-ene click reaction and transesterification. The structures of the stabilizers were confirmed by H-1 NMR spectra and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high temperature stability above 300 degrees C, proving suitability as potential stabilizers for standard and technical polymers. The performance of the bifunctional antioxidants was investigated through oxidation induction time (OIT) and accelerated heat aging of PP compounds in comparison to state of the art stabilizers represented through 2,2'-thiodiethylene bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] and a binary mixture of pentaerythritol tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) and dioctadecyl 3,3'-thiodipropionate. Reduced degradation and extended maintenance of mechanical values of PP stabilized through the novel antioxidants during heat aging are due to the high amount of alkyl sulfide groups. Furthermore, a low migration tendency of the high-molecular AO could be determined by FTIR mapping of heat-treated samples. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.