Abstract
The enhancement of the ultraviolet (UV) photodegradation resistance of biodegradable polymers can improve their application efficacy in a natural environment. In this study, the hexadecylamine modified layered zinc phenylphosphonate (m-PPZn) was used as a UV protection additive for poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) via solution mixing. The results from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis of the m-PPZn indicated the occurrence of hexadecylamine intercalation. FTIR and gel permeation chromatography were used to characterize the evolution of the PBAT/m-PPZn composites after being artificially irradiated via a light source. The various functional groups produced via photodegradation were analyzed to illustrate the enhanced UV protection ability of m-PPZn in the composite materials. From the appearance, the yellowness index of the PBAT/m-PPZn composite materials was significantly lower than that of the pure PBAT matrix due to photodegradation. These results were confirmed by the molecular weight reduction in PBAT with increasing m-PPZn content, possibly due to the UV photon energy reflection by the m-PPZn. This study presents a novel approach of improving the UV photodegradation of a biodegradable polymer using an organically modified layered zinc phenylphosphonate composite.
Highlights
Most nonbiodegradable plastic wastes cause significant land and marine pollution [1]
In the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of hexadecylamine, the peaks at 2922 and 2851 cm−1 can be attributed to the antisymmetric and symmetric effects, respectively, which is shown in modified PPZn (m-PPZn)
In the spectrum of m-PPZn, the peaks of –NH2 shift to a lower wavenumber, 3301 cm−1, which suggests that the amine group of hexadecylamine was coordinated to the zinc atom [28,29]
Summary
Most nonbiodegradable plastic wastes cause significant land and marine pollution [1]. This problem has changed the direction of serious attention towards ecological sustainability and the possible impact on related animals and plants [2,3,4]. The application of biodegradable polymers is considered to be one among the effective methods in alleviating the problem at hand, especially in agricultural applications, because of their recyclability [5,6,7]. In agricultural applications, it is important to consider the photodegradation of polymers by ultraviolet (UV) light [8]. Two basic types of ultraviolet rays reach the Earth’s surface—UV-B (280–320 nm) and UV-A (320–400 nm)—that cause polymer chain scission and molecular weight reduction while affecting the function of the material. Some organic or inorganic additives have been used to improve the stability of polymers with UV irradiation [11,12,13,14]
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