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Degradation products formed during UV exposure of polyethylene-ZnO nano-composites

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Rui Yang, Professor Paul ChristensenORCiD, Dr Terry Egerton, Emeritus Professor Jim White

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Abstract

Photodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) containing nano-particulate ZnO has been studied using FUR to follow the development of oxidation products in the polymer film and to monitor carbon dioxide evolved as a principal product of oxidation. The degradation behaviour of ZnO-free LDPE has been compared with that of compounds containing 0.25% and 0.75% ZnO and these results are compared with those obtained using similar films containing nano-particulate TiO2. Under UV exposure, the presence of ZnO accelerated the development of carbonyl groups and CO2 production. The carbonyl group development was more rapid when TiO2 was used whereas ZnO caused greater CO2 generation. Carbonyl group development seemed to correlate better with the reduction in mechanical properties whereas CO2 generation correlated better with weight change measurements. The influence of ZnO on the oxidation pathways in LDPE is discussed; it is proposed that photo-oxidation is relatively much more likely to occur at terminal sites (rather than at pendent sites) when ZnO is present. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Yang R, Christensen PA, Egerton TA, White JR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Polymer Degradation and Stability

Year: 2010

Volume: 95

Issue: 9

Pages: 1533-1541

Print publication date: 22/06/2010

ISSN (print): 0141-3910

ISSN (electronic): 1873-2321

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.06.010

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.06.010

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