A novel phenolic polymer, poly(pyrogallic acid), has been
synthesized via an eco-friendly and facile polymerization from
pyrogallic acid. Findings suggest that the polymerization of pyrogallic
acid can be conducted efficiently in phosphate buffer
(pH ¼ 7) containing HRP and surfactant (SDS) while H2O2 is
dripped at an interval of 15 min. Thanks to the solubilization effect
of aqueous micelle, poly(pyrogallic acid) can be obtained in a
relatively high yield. In addition, antioxidant capacities and stability
properties were extensively characterized. Results suggests
that poly(pyrogallic acid) exhibits excellent radical scavenging
capacity and ferric ion reducing ability. When assayed in widely
used tests for thermo-oxidative degradation of PP, poly(pyrogallic
acid) showed potent inhibitory effects. On the basis of these results
and considering its considerable potential advantages with
respect to monomer pyrogallic acid and related hindered antioxidants,
we suppose that poly(pyrogallic acid) may be used as a
novel antioxidant for PP.