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Weathering Effects on Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene-Nanosilica Composite with Added Pro-oxidant
Citation:
Zepp, R., Brad Acrey, M. Davis, A. Andrady, J. Locklin, R. Arnold, O. Okungbowa, AND A. Commodore. Weathering Effects on Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene-Nanosilica Composite with Added Pro-oxidant. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. Springer Nature, New York, NY, 31:4184–4192, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-023-02864-4
Impact/Purpose:
This study provides new data on relationships between properties of LDPE-nanosilica composites, and their changes in mechanical and spectroscopic properties and release of nanosilica. Addition of a pro-oxidant accelerated the fragmentation rate in simulated sunlight by about an order of magnitude. Changes in mechanical properties and oxidation of the polymer matrix measured by FTIR spectroscopy can both be used to quantify kinetics of photoinduced changes in the composites. We did not detect any nanosilica in the aqueous phase of water that was gently agitated with the weathered nanocomposite -- even after 16 days of simulated sunlight exposure.
Description:
Nanomaterials are increasingly used in polymer composites to enhance their properties, such as mechanical performance and durability, increased electrical conductivity, and improved optical clarity. Here results are presented of a study simulating effects of weathering on degradation of a nanosilica-low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite. Release of nanosilica from LDPE composites is a potential source of toxic SiO2. Nanosilica based LDPE composites were weathered under carefully controlled conditions by exposure to simulated sunlight. The effects of an added pro-oxidant on weathering was examined. Weathering of the composites with pro-oxidant was determined by quantifying changes in infrared spectroscopic properties (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy / FTIR); mechanical properties, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy and other procedures. Wavelength effects on weathering rates were determined in a series of irradiations using simulated solar radiation passed through light filters that blocked different parts of the ultraviolet spectral region. Rates and spectral irradiance were then analyzed to develop spectral weighting functions (SWFs) that quantify wavelength effects on the sunlight-induced weathering of the pro-oxidant amended composites.
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DOI: Weathering Effects on Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene-Nanosilica Composite with Added Pro-oxidant