Effect of the Addition of Naringenin Derived from Citrus on the Properties of Epoxy Resin Compositions

Abstract

This research concerns the modification of commercially available epoxy resin with flame retardants in order to obtain aging-resistant and antimicrobial polymeric materials with a plant stabilizer dedicated to use in rail transport. Polymer compositions based on epoxy resin, fiberglass fabric, and naringenin were prepared. Naringenin was added as a natural stabilizer at 2, 4, and 8 phr. The materials were subjected to solar aging lasting 800 h. The hardness of the samples, surface energy, and carbonyl indexes were determined, and the color change in the composition after aging was analyzed. In addition, microscopic observations, analyses of mechanical properties, and microbiological tests were performed. The hardness determination showed that the samples retained their functional properties after solar aging. The increase in the polar component of the surface energy of all materials indicated the beginning of the degradation process of the composites. The tensile one-directional tests were carried out for plane samples taken in three directions (0, 90, and 45 degrees referred to a plate edge) before and after the aging process. The addition of naringenin did not affect the functional and surface properties of the epoxy resin-based materials. Polyphenol stabilized polymer composites, as evidenced by the results of carbonyl indexes. Moreover, the obtained samples showed good antimicrobial properties for E. coli and C. albicans in the field of testing the viability of microbial cells in contact with the tested surfaces.