Evaluation of the photostabilizing efficiency of polyvinyl alcohol–zinc chloride composites

Abstract

Accelerated weathering of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA reinforced with 20 wt% of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) was investigated. The developed PVA composites were subjected to 100, 200, and 300 h of accelerated weathering exposure times. The effects of exposure on the PVA composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal properties as thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, the mechanical and morphology properties, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of FTIR displayed that lower carbonyl and hydroxyl indexes are due to PVA composite. The results of mechanical tests showed that the accelerated weathering reduced the tensile strength of PVA. However, PVA composites exhibited fewer reduction of the tensile strength values. PVA composites exhibited better thermal stability after extent to ultraviolet irradiation. The storage modulus from dynamic mechanical analysis results that displayed a higher value for the storage modulus is related to PVA composites, compared to PVA. Before exposure, PVA composite showed a high intensity, compared to PVA. After exposure to accelerated weathering, the intensity of all samples shifted and decreased. Scanning electron microscopic micrographs showed that the surface of the PVA composites had fewer defects compared to the PVA after exposure. The results of characterization revealed that 20% of ZnCl2 into the PVA made less vulnerable to environmental degradation, and these PVA composites are suitable as packaging films for use in outdoor applications.