EPDM composite membranes modified with cerium doped lead zirconate titanate

•Doped lead zirconate titanate stabilizes efficiently EPDM substrate.•Free radicals interact with radiation defects in solid filler.•The antioxidant activity is proportional with filler concentration.

This study was performed on γ-irradiated ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) loaded with lead zirconate titanate. The inorganic phase has a perovskite structure with general formula Pb(Zr0.65−xCexTi0.35)O3. The three composites with different Ce dopant concentrations revealed the stabilization activity of filler against oxidation proved by chemiluminescence investigation in respect to pristine polymer. The presence of cerium low concentrations in the solid lead zirconate titanate nanoparticles causes significant slowing of oxidation rate during radiation exposure. The improvement in the stabilization feature of filler is correlated with the existence of traps, whose interaction with free radicals assumes medium energy due to their convenient depth.