Title: More durable or more vulnerable? - Effect of nanoparticles on long-term performance of polymeric nanocomposites during UV exposure

Authors: Xiaohong Gu; Dongmei Zhe; Minhua Zhao; Guodong Chen; Stephanie. S. Watson; Paul E. Stutzman; Tinh Nguyen; Joannie W. Chin; Jonathan W. Martin

Addresses: Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' SINOPEC Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry, 14 Beisanhuan Donglu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100013, China. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' Saint-Gobain Research (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., 55 Wenjing Road, Minhang Development Zone, Shanghai, 200245, China. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA. ' Engineering Laboratory, Materials Research Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr. Stop 8615, Building 226, B368, MD 20899-8615, Gaithersburg, USA

Abstract: ZnO nanoparticle is being used as an inorganic UV absorber for polymers. However, the mechanism of how ZnO nanoparticles influence the photo degradation of polymersis is not well understood. This study has investigated the role of ZnO nanoparticles in the long-term performance of a polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite subject to UV radiation. PU samples containing different levels of ZnO nanoparticles were exposed to the NIST Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure (SPHERE) UV chamber under both dry (0% RH) and moist (75% RH) conditions at 45°C. Chemical and physical properties with exposure times were characterised using multiple spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The results indicated that the studied ZnO nanoparticles acted as a catalyst and accelerated the photodegradation of PU. The photo-catalytic effect was dependent on ZnO concentration and RH. It is suggested that systematical long-term performance study under different exposure environments is important for correctly evaluating the role of nanoparticles on durability and sustainability of polymer nanocomposites.

Keywords: ZnO nanoparticles; zinc oxide; UV absorbers; polyurethane; polymeric nanocomposites; photodegradation; polymersis; NIST-SPHERE; photocatalysis; durability; FTIR; nanotechnology; ultraviolet exposure; polymers; UV radiation; nanocomposite durability; nanocomposite sustainability; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMSS.2012.050456

International Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems, 2012 Vol.1 No.1, pp.68 - 94

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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