Enhancement of polymer endurance to UV light by incorporation of semiconductor nanoparticles

Abstract

Improvement of polyvinyl alcohol stability against ultraviolet (UV) illumination is achieved by introducing cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles into the polymeric matrix. Enhancement of stability is analyzed by optical characterization methods. UV protection is achieved by diminishing the probability of photo-activated formation of defects in polymer. The sources of polymer protection are the lowering of the efficiency of polymer excitation via partial absorption of incident light by the embedded nanoparticles as well as the de-excitation of the macromolecules that have already absorbed UV quanta via energy drain to nanoparticles. Within the nanoparticles, the energy is either dissipated by conversion to the thermal energy or reemitted as visible-range photoluminescence quanta.

Polydopamine‐coated poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes with high ultraviolet resistance and antifouling properties for a photocatalytic membrane reactor

“…8 One of the practical solutions for overcoming this shortcoming is to protect the membrane surface with compounds that are capable of absorbing and quenching the radicals produced by UV light. [9][10][11][12][13] One of the free-radical scavengers that has been used recently is polydopamine (PDA). 11,12,[14][15][16][17][18] It is believed that PDA protects the polymeric membrane structure from UV radiation by quenching the free radicals generated during illumination through an electron-donor reaction.…”

The photoluminescence enhancement of Mn2+ ions and the crystal field in ZnS:Mn nanoparticles covered by polyvinyl alcohol

“…The pure PVA is the semi-crystalline organic material and high transparency in the whole visible range (Hirankumar et al 2005;Wang et al 2014;Rudko et al 2015). The embedment of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles into PVA matrix caused on the surface of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles due to (C 2 H 3 OH) n molecules with OH hydroxyl groups polarized strongly, in which its electrons bonded with Zn 2?…”

Surface Modification of Polymers: Methods and Applications

“…Polymer photostability can be achieved through the addition of special chemicals, light stabilizers, and UV stabilizers. Gudko et al have incorporated semiconductor cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles for enhancing the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) endurance to UV light ( Figure ) . The embedded nanoparticles absorbed the incident UV light diminishing the probability of photoactivated formation defects in polymer.…”

“…The CdS/PVA absorb the UV light and emit PL quanta or thermal dissipation of energy (NR) via nonradiative process. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2015, Springer.…”