Effects of ZnO quantum dots on the photostability of acrylate photopolymers used as recording materials. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goourey, Georgia G.; Wong-Wah-Chung, Pascal; Balan, Lavinia; Israëli, Yaël
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 153(2018)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Acrylate photopolymer -- Degradation -- Light exposure -- Nanocomposite -- Photostability -- ZnO nanoparticles; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.04.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Abstract: ZnO quantum dots, QDs (5 nm diameter) by their photogenerated charge carriers clearly influence the degradation of the acrylate host matrix, under conditions simulating solar light. As a result, QDs undergo a partial quenching of their fluorescence. To rationalize this influence, the investigation requires understanding the photochemical behavior of the acrylate photopolymer (carrier of ester and ether groups) in the absence of nanofiller. The matrix undergoes simultaneously a post-polymerization and photooxidative degradation. Infrared analysis and headspace gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry reveal that the main volatile organic compounds result from the oxidation of the ether groups, supposed to be the primary sites of degradation. The nanofiller increases the rate of degradation. Also, the concentration of the volatile organic compounds is all the more important as the doping percentage increases. However, the photostability of ZnO/polymer material strongly depends on the size of the nanoparticles. Whereas ZnO QDs display a photocatalytic effect, nanoparticles with a bigger size (10–30 nm) exhibit an unexpected UV-screening effect. Graphical abstract: The photostability of ZnO/acrylate copolymer material under irradiation conditions simulating solar light strongly depends on the size of ZnO nanoparticles. Nanofillers with smaller size act as a photocatalyst involving the photogenerated charge carriers. This leads consequently to a partial quenching of their fluorescence. On the contrary, nanoparticles with bigger size play a photoprotective role towards the host polymeric matrix. Image 1