Over 2×10

8

million tons of polymers are produced worldwide every year

of which a large portion needs various types of stabilizers against degradation for longer service life.Atmospheric oxidation of organic materials including polymer

edible oil

food-stuff

petroleum products and lubricants occurs during their synthesis

production

storage

heat processing and end-use applications.There are many methods to prevent this oxidation

and addition of antioxidants is the most effective and convenient one.In this article we reviewed the recent study advances on acting mechanism of antioxidants

the most effective antioxidant system

optimal molecular weight MW

polymeric antioxidant

polymeric bound antioxidant

multifunctional antioxidant and bio-antioxidant.Attention is drawn to a conclusion that combination of primary antioxidant and secondary antioxidant is the most effective mode for protecting organic materials against atmospheric oxidation.This mode is not likely to be displaced by any other mode in the near future.Hindered phenol antioxidants will displace aromatic amine antioxidants which are toxic.Trends in antioxidant development are that toxic antioxidants will be displaced by non-toxic ones

and more attention will be paid to synthesis of antioxidant with optimal MW

polymeric antioxidant

polymer bound antioxidant

multifunctional antioxidants and bio-antioxidants.Applications of antioxidants in the thermal processing of polymers

lubricants

food and medicines are also disscussed.