A comparative study of gamma and ultraviolet radiation on gelatin film with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate

Gelatin films were prepared from gelatin granules in an aqueous medium by casting. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb%) of the films were found to be 29.2?MPa and 4.9%, respectively. Gelatin films were irradiated under gamma and UV radiation with different doses. Gamma treated gelatin films showed higher TS and Eb% over untreated ones, and even higher than that of the UV treated films. A series of gelatin solutions (formulations) was prepared by blending varying percentages (2–10% by wt) of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) and then the films were prepared. Some EHA-blended gelatin films were irradiated under gamma radiation at various doses (50–500?krad) and other films were cured under UV radiation at different intensities (10–30 UV passes). EHA-blended?+?gamma treated gelatin films showed the highest mechanical properties than that of the EHA-blended?+?UV treated films. The degradation properties present in the soil were determined for the pure and treated films. It was observed that EHA-blended?+?gamma treated gelatin film degrades more than that of the EHA-blended?+?UV treated films.     

UV and ozone treatment of polypropylene and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and ozone, separately and in combination, were investigated with respect to polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surfaces. Three combinations of UV light and ozone were studied: ozone only, UV light in air (producing ozone), and UV light in air (producing ozone) supplemented by additional ozone in the incoming air. The effect of the exposure time of the PP and PET to each treatment was studied. The samples were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine the surface composition, and by dynamic contact angle to determine the water wettability. The results showed that the effect of the treament was dependent on the properties of the exposed polymer, with PET being more sensitive to the UV light and PP being more sensitive to the reactive species in the gas. The exposure times studied ranged from 1 to 90 min. By monitoring the oxygen uptake levels, we were able to determine that surface modification occurred within minutes. The possible reactive species and mechanisms are discussed.     

Adhesion of UV-Cured Laminates of Poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) and Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films

This paper describes the properties of an ultraviolet (UV) curable laminating adhesive system that can be used with PEN, PET and UV-stabilized PET films. The adhesive system that contains (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) as photoinitiator was optimally cured with a V-bulb fitted ultraviolet irradiator. The laminated structures built with this adhesive system and PEN, PET and UV-stabilized PET films showed a large manufacturing operating window, both in terms of adhesive layer thickness, initial peel strengths above 1500 N/m, V- and D-bulb UV sources and curing speeds from 5– 10 m/min. The 600-h dry heat aging tests indicated that the UV-stabilized PET films underwent less than approximately 1% decrease in light transmission and less than a 1% gain in color. The UV-stabilized PET film and its laminate showed particularly strong retention of optical properties under damp aging and QUV weathering, compared to PEN and non-UV-stabilized PET films. Finally, the peel strengths of the laminates were retained to greater than 1300 N/m for laminate structures of 50 μm film thickness, whereas structures made from thicker films retained approx. 40–60% (700–1100 N/m) of their initial peel strength.     

Charge storage behavior of isotropic and biaxially‐oriented polypropylene films containing α‐ and β‐nucleating agents

A study on the influence of the crystal modification (α and β) of isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) films on the resulting electret properties is presented. Two commercial nucleating agents, sodium 2,2′‐methylene‐bis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐phosphate (NA11) and N,N′‐dicyclo‐hexyl‐2,6‐naphthalene‐dicarbox‐amide (NU100), were employed in this investigation. Isothermal charge decay was measured at 90°C. In hot pressed isotropic polypropylene films, no significant differences in the charge storage properties were observed for α‐ and β‐nucleated specimens. In addition, the article presents the influence of the nucleating agents at different concentrations on the PP‐film morphology of biaxially stretched films with respect to electret features. It was possible to prepare elongated cavities with the virtually insoluble NA11 additive during stretching, even at concentrations below 0.3 wt %. These films displayed slightly improved electret properties in comparison to stretched neat PP films due to generated cavities acting as barriers for the drift of charges. Various draw ratios were also studied for i‐PP films with 0.15 wt % NA11. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 650–658, 2006     

Modification of cotton,rayon, and silk with urethane acrylate under ultraviolet radiation

Ten different formulations were developed with Ebcryl 264, a urethane acrylate in combination with other monofunctional monomers in the presence of some additives and coadditives. Thin films prepared from these formulations under ultraviolet (UV) radiation were characterized. Natural fibers such as cotton, rayon, and silk were treated with the formulations and cured under UV radiation. Their physical and mechanical properties were studied. It was found that the tensile strength (TS) of cotton, rayon, and silk was significantly increased as a result of this treatment under UV radiation (TS_cotton = 150%, TS_rayon = 30%, and TS_silk = 40%). Elongation of cotton and silk increased to 380 and 50%, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1703–1711, 1997     

Ultraviolet curing of epoxy coating on wood surface

Different formulations were developed with EB-600 (Ebcryl-600), an epoxy acrylate oligomer in the presence of N-vinylpyrrolidone and trimethylol propane triacrylate. Thin films were prepared with these formulated solutions under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These solutions were coated on a low-grade wood substrate (simul) and cured under UV light. Both UV-cured thin films and surface coatings were characterized, and the best formulations for coating wood surface were evaluated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1997–2004, 1997     

Preparation and Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of the Photocured Chitosan/Starch Blend Film

The chitosan/starch blend films of 2:1 ratio were prepared by solution casting. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%Eb) of chitosan/starch blend film were found to be 9.33 MPa and 3.6%, respectively. The blend films (2% Chitosan) were soaked in six different formulations of methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer and aliphatic urethane diacrylate oligomer (M-1200) at different time intervals (1–5 min) and irradiated under UV radiation at different intensities (5–35 pass). Formulations containing 43% MMA and 15% oligomer in methanol solution showed 209% increase in TS at 25th UV pass for 4 min soaking time. SEM and FTIR were used to investigate the molecular interaction and morphology of the blend film, respectively.     

Light‐control birefringence of oriented poly(vinyl cinnamate) by UV irradiation

The research focused on realizing the birefringence of light‐control polymer films. The photoelastic birefringence exhibits when Poly (vinyl cinnamate) (PVCi) films are stretched below their glass transition temperature (T_g). The birefringence of PVCi decreases when the UV irradiation happens because the side chains of the PVCi photo‐react when the oriented films are exposed to UV light. A method to quantify the birefringence ability of the polymer films is created and verified. Using this method, the decrease of the birefringence through the UV irradiation is quantified. The result shows the birefringence of PVCi can be controlled by altering the UV irradiation time. In addition, oriented PVCi films of different esterification degrees were prepared and irradiated at different time, and the birefringence of them was studied to clarify the birefringence mechanism of light‐control polymer films. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Glycerol‐plasticized spirulina–poly(vinyl alcohol) films with improved mechanical performance

Spirulina–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–glycerol (SPG) films with improved mechanical performance, especially tensile strength (TS) and the elongation at break (EAB), are fabricated by a casting method. The integrity, color, solubility, microstructure, thermal properties, tensile strength, and compatibility of the SPG films are assessed. SPG films became smooth, homogeneous, and flexible after plasticizing with glycerol. The presence of PVA and hydrogen bonding of PVA with glycerol and spirulina protein improves the water resistance of SPG films by decreasing water absorption of spirulina protein and decreasing water diffusion through the films. The amount of carbonaceous residues decreases from 31% to 14% because of the co‐pyrolysis of spirulina, PVA, and glycerol. TS increases from 2.5 to 26 Mpa and modulus from 53 to 610 Mpa with increasing PVA content. Glycerol enhances film flexibility and EAB up to 50%. Spirulina can be composited with hydrophilic polymers to fabricate compatible, processable and thermally recyclable films with desirable mechanical performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44842.     

Hydrogen-bonding assembly of heteropolyacid and poly(vinyl alcohol) for strong,flexible, and transparent UV-protective films

Although many preparation approaches have been developed, it remains a huge challenge to achieve ultraviolet (UV)-protection films that combine high transparency, excellent UV-shielding, and mechanical properties. Herein, we demonstrate a facile and eco-friendly process for fabricating strong, flexible, and transparent UV-protective poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films by exploiting silicomolybdic acid (SiMoA) as UV absorber and reinforcing phase. Fourier-transform infrared analysis confirms the formation of strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between PVA and SiMoA. The glass-transition temperature, mechanical properties, and UV-shielding stability of the UV-protective PVA composite films obviously increase with increasing the content of SiMoA. By incorporation of only 2 wt % SiMoA, the UV-protective PVA composite film can block more than 90% of UV light in the entire UV regions and retain high visible light transparency (up to 95%). Simultaneously, the UV-protective PVA composite film presents excellent mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 65.2 MPa and an elongation at break of 172.6%, which are 72.0 and 69.5% higher than that of pristine PVA films. This work provides a simple but effective approach for creating strong, flexible, and transparent UV-blocking polymeric materials via hydrogen-bonding assembly, which are expected to have wide application prospects in UV-protection field. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48813.     

Effectiveness of silane monomer on chitosan films and PCL-based tri-layer films

Chitosan films were prepared by casting from its 1% (w/w) solution. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), and elongation at break (Eb%) of chitosan films were found to be 30 MPa, 450 MPa, and 8%, respectively. Silane monomer (3-aminopropyl tri-methoxy silane) (1–7%, w/w) was added into the chitosan solution (1%, w/w), and films were casted. The highest TS (38 MPa) and TM (620 MPa) values were found at 5% (w/w) silane content films. Polycaprolactone (PCL) films were prepared by compression molding; the values of TS, TM, and Eb of PCL films were found to be 12 MPa, 226 MPa, and 70%, respectively. Using chitosan and silane containing chitosan films, PCL-based tri-layer films were prepared by compression molding. Chitosan (also silane-incorporated chitosan) content in the tri-layer films varied from 10 to 50% by weight. The values of TS and TM of the silane containing composites were found to be 21 and 410 MPa, respectively, which is significantly higher (40% TS and 34% TM) than control composites. Molecular interactions due to silane addition were supported by FT-IR analysis. The surface of the films and the interface of the tri-layer films were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of iron carboxylates on the photodegradability of polypropylene. II. Artificial weathering studies

The various iron carboxylates such as ferric caprate, ferric laurate, ferric myristate, ferric palmitate, and ferric stearate were synthesized to enhance the photodegradability of polypropylene (PP). The prodegradants (0.2%) synthesized were blended with virgin PP and then blown into films. All the PP films mentioned were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation of 365 nm at room temperature to study the photodegradation behavior of PP with and without the prodegradants under artificial weathering conditions. The photoirradiated films were found to degrade after certain hours of UV exposure, which could be found from the steep increase of hydroxyl, carbonyl, lactone, ester, carboxylic acid, and crystallinity index. At the same time, a sudden decrease of elongation at break percentages and tensile strength; development of surface cracks indicated the scission of the main chain of the PP. The results revealed that PP containing prodegradants degraded at a faster rate than the virgin material. However, the effectiveness of the prodegradants for the photodegradation of PP was found to be in the order: ferric caprate > ferric laurate > ferric myristate > ferric palmitate > ferric stearate. The results showed that the number of carbon atoms present in the alkyl part of the various prodegradants played a vital role in the degradation phenomenon. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the mobility of the alkyl radicals formed from the decomposition of the incorporated prodegradants during artificial weathering played a prominent role in the photooxidative degradation behavior of PP films. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Kinetic Study of Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer Photografting in Poly(propylene) Films under Natural Weathering and Accelerated UV Conditions: Effect of Additive Concentration

Full Paper: The objective of this work is aimed at determining the kinetics of HALS photografting in PP films as a function of the additive concentration under both natural weathering and accelerated UV conditions. The stabilizer studied had a single structure that combined HALS and a UV absorbing unit detectable at 308 nm in the UV spectrum of PP, capable of inducing a photoreaction with the polymer matrix. The kinetics of HALS photografting on PP films at various additive concentrations was determined by direct spectroscopic measurements on film samples through the absorption band of the stabilizer positioned at 308 nm in the UV spectra, which was attributed to the highly conjugated methylenic double bond. The content of free HALS was determined as a function of exposure time by UV spectroscopy for all the additive concentration ratios used. It is shown that the kinetics of HALS photografting increase with a decrease in the additive concentration ratio. The whole grafting process under conditions of natural weathering occurred in the PP film after almost 350 h of exposure, while approximately 20 h were necessary under accelerated UV conditions. Moreover, these kinetics are well described by a third order polynomial model, validated by a maximum value of the coefficient of correlation close to unity. This was also confirmed by a comparison of the time values measured at 50% of the total grafting calculated from the model with those observed experimentally. This finding was consistent with the data obtained on the free HALS content determined by UV spectroscopy.

The percentage of HALS photografting in PP films as a function of time under natural weathering, determined by UV spectroscopy.     

Functionalization of polypropylene film by radiation grafting of acryloyl chloride and subsequent esterification with Disperse Red 1

Polypropylene (PP) films were grafted with acryloyl chloride by γ‐irradiation, and the grafted films were reacted with an azo dye, Disperse Red 1. The films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the grafting takes place first on the film surface, and with increase in the radiation dose the grafting penetrated inside of the film, decreasing the crystallinity of the PP film. The surface of the films was homogeneous, and a mesophase was observed for the film grafted with the dye through a polarized optical microscope. The dye underwent trans to cis photoreaction, whereby the red films became colorless by the irradiation of UV light at room temperature, although the color was recovered on standing, and more quickly when heated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 172–178, 2004     

Photooxidation of polypropylene under natural and accelerated weathering conditions

The environmental and accelerated photodegradation of two polypropylene (PP) films (high and low crystallinity) were investigated. FT-IR measurements coupled with derivatization reactions (NO and SF₄), elongation at break tests and gel permeation chromatography technique were used to monitor the degree of oxidation during the UV exposure. No stoichiometry changes were observed under both UV conditions for the PP films. The dominant photoproduct, i.e., ketone, was suggested to be produced from peroxy radicals. The low concentration of tert-alcohol detected questioned the validity of its formation from hydroperoxide decomposition as suggested by several authors. Under natural exposure, the effect of degradation on mechanical property was different for high and low PP. High PP was useless after a short exposure time; low PP retained its physical property for a longer period of time. In the latter case, the analysis of the changes in elongation at break, the polydispersity P = M_w/M_n, the number of chain scissions N_t, and the kinetic accumulation of photoproducts provided strong indications on the mechanisms of acid and ester production and shed some light on the competition between crosslinking and chain scission reactions. The estimated acceleration factors were 7.5 and 8.5 for high and low PP, respectively, values that were much lower than those obtained for linear low-density polyethylene. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2497–2503, 1997     

Natural weathering of polypropylene films. I. Exposure time and yield properties

The yield properties of about 500 h of outdoor weathering (in the rainy season) of polypropylene (PP) films have been studied. The yield strain, plastic strain, and initial modulus, work of yield attained local maxima at 48- and 240-h exposure time; elastic strain attained near double maxima at these times. The yield stress reached a local minimum for the 144-h exposed film before increasing with further exposure hours. The increase in yield strain, plastic strain, and initial modulus were explained in terms of crosslinking chemocrystallization; decreases were due to chain scission and leaching. Critical dissolution time data, interpreted in proportion to density, crystallite thickness, and percent crystallinity, increased with PP exposure time, reaching a maximum at 48 h before decreasing to values even lower than that of unexposed film from the 120-h exposure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 667–673, 1998     

Curing of crust leather by ultraviolet radiation with urethane acrylate: Role of pigment

Eight different formulations were developed with four diacrylate reactive monomers such as tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA), 1,4‐butanediol diacrylate (BDDA), 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), and 2‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and aromatic urethane diacrylate (M1100) in order to modify the crust leather surface. To study the effect of pigment on the performance of ultraviolet (UV)‐cured leather surface, 1% pigment (congored) was incorporated in the formulations. Irgacure 369 (2%) was also used in the formulation as photoinitiator. The gel content, tensile strength, elongation at break, and pendulum hardness of UV‐cured thin films with and without pigment was studied. The films without pigment produced better properties. Among all the diluents, BDDA‐containing films showed the best performance. Different properties of UV‐coated leather surface such as pendulum hardness, tensile strength, elongation, gloss (at 20° and 60°), adhesion, and abrasion were studied. Effect of gloss on simulating weathering was also performed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 692–697, 2002     

Zero VOC sunlight curable coatings

Curing of one-pack epoxy coatings by exposure to visible light for a few hours would be a useful innovation for architectural, industrial, and maintenance (AIM) coatings as well as for any large objects that would be difficult to heat but easy to shine a light on. Zero VOC, low viscosity, sunlight curable clearcoats can be formulated with cycloaliphatic epoxy compounds as well as aromatic glycidyl ethers. Cure is achieved with a cationic photoinitiator that generates a strong acid when exposed to sunlight for a couple of hours. The clearcoats had good hardness, adhesion, and solvent resistance. No cure was achieved with incandescent light or with fluorescent light, which contains only 0.1% UV light as compared to sunlight that has 5% UV light. This work indicates that zero VOC one pack clearcoat epoxy formulations for AIM applications and large objects could be cured by light racks that generate the spectrum of sunlight.     

Preparation and Mechanical Characterization of Gelatin-Based Films Using 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Cured by UV Radiation

Gelatin films were prepared from gelatin granules in aqueous medium by casting. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the gelatin films were found to be 27 MPa, 100 MPa and 4%, respectively. Gelatin films were soaked in five different formulations containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (10–50%, by wt), methanol and photoinitiator and then cured under UV radiation. Again, a series of gelatin solutions was prepared by blending varying percentages (10–50% by wt) of HEMA and then films were prepared and UV cured. It was found that tensile properties of gelatin films improved significantly.     

Fabrication of highly monodisperse CeO2@poly(methyl silsesquioxane) microspheres and their application in UV‐shielding films

Highly monodisperse CeO₂@poly(methyl silsesquioxane) (PMSQ) microspheres were successfully prepared by a facile chemical precipitation technique. The structures and properties of CeO₂@PMSQ were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. We confirmed that the PMSQ microspheres were uniformly coated by CeO₂ nanoparticles, with about an 8 nm crystallite diameter. Then, CeO₂@PMSQ was incorporated into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to fabricate PVA/CeO₂@PMSQ composite films by the casting of homogeneous solutions. The thermal and optical properties of the composite films were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and UV–visible spectroscopy. The results show the high UV‐shielding efficiency of the composites: for a film containing 2.5 wt % CeO₂@PMSQ microspheres, about 80% UV light at wavelengths between 200 and 360 nm was absorbed, whereas the optical transparency in the visible region still remained very high. The addition of CeO2@PMSQ microspheres improved the thermal stability of the PVA films. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45065.