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

The electrochemical oxidation of β-carotene was investigated at a Pt electrode using CV and DPV voltammetry methods. The electrooxidation of β-carotene is a diffusion-controlled, irreversible reaction. 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 electrons during the first step followed by a chemical reaction, indicating that the electro-oxidation of β-carotene occurs according to the EC mechanism. A possible mechanism for the electrooxidation of β-carotene was proposed. The effect of β-carotene on stabilising composites consisting of a thermoplastic copolymer of ethylene and norbornene (Topas E-140), was also investigated. The addition of this natural pigment improved the resistance of the Topas material to the effects of climatic conditions, such as UV radiation, elevated temperature and humidity. Additionally, β-carotene served the role as an index of the ageing time.