The Combined Effects of Vitamin E Antioxidants and Krylon UV-Resistant Spray on the Photodegradation and the Self-Repair Processes of Cinnamate

Self-healing, photoreactive polymers such as methyl cinnamate have become increasingly relevant to emerging technologies, including biosensors, drug-delivery systems, and smart materials. However, their practical use is limited by rapid photodegradation, which reduces durability and diminishes their ability to undergo repeated isomerization-driven self-repair. This study investigates whether incorporating vitamin E antioxidants and a Krylon UV-resistant spray can reduce UV-induced photodegradation while preserving the autorepair functionality of methyl cinnamate. Four experimental groups, which are the control, vitamin E antioxidant-treated, UV-resistant spray-treated, and combined-treatment, were embedded in epoxy resin and subjected to 30 cycles of UV-induced isomerization followed by visible-light recovery. Colorimetric analysis using calibrated photographs measured percent color change as an indicator of photodegradation and self-repair performance. The experiment aimed to determine whether antioxidant and UV-filtering treatments extend the polymer's effective lifespan without compromising its self-healing capability. By exploring a combined protection strategy not previously examined in the literature, this research addresses a gap regarding how external stabilizers influence both durability and functional repair in photoreactive polymers. Results from this study indicate that utilizing both UV-resistant spray combined with the antioxidants reduces the overall photodegradation of the methyl cinnamate.