Abstract
The photooxidative degradation process of plastics caused by ultraviolet irradiation leads to bond breaking, crosslinking, the elimination of volatiles, formation of free radicals, and decreases in weight and molecular weight. Photodegradation deteriorates both the mechanical and physical properties of plastics and affects their predicted life use, in particular for applications in harsh environments. Plastics have many benefits, while on the other hand, they have numerous disadvantages, such as photodegradation and photooxidation in harsh environments and the release of toxic substances due to the leaching of some components, which have a negative effect on living organisms. Therefore, attention is paid to the design and use of safe, plastic, ultraviolet stabilizers that do not pose a danger to the environment if released. Plastic ultraviolet photostabilizers act as efficient light screeners (absorbers or pigments), excited-state deactivators (quenchers), hydroperoxide decomposers, and radical scavengers. Ultraviolet absorbers are cheap to produce, can be used in low concentrations, mix well with polymers to produce a homogenous matrix, and do not alter the color of polymers. Recently, polyphosphates, Schiff bases, and organometallic complexes were synthesized and used as potential ultraviolet absorbers for polymeric materials. They reduced the damage caused by accelerated and natural ultraviolet aging, which was confirmed by inspecting the surface morphology of irradiated polymeric films. For example, atomic force microscopy revealed that the roughness factor of polymers’ irradiated surfaces was improved significantly in the presence of ultraviolet absorbers. In addition, the investigation of the surface of irradiated polymers using scanning electron microscopy showed a high degree of homogeneity and the appearance of pores that were different in size and shape. The current work surveys for the first time the use of newly synthesized, ultraviolet absorbers as additives to enhance the photostability of polymeric materials and, in particular, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene, based mainly on our own recent work in the field.
Highlights
Ultraviolet (UV) light has harmful effects on materials used in outdoor applications.Plastics suffer photooxidation when exposed to harsh conditions in the presence of oxygen
Plastics used in outdoor applications suffer in harsh environments and quickly lose their mechanical and physical properties
The proper solution for inhibiting the photooxidation of plastics due to the inevitable exposure to light and oxygen is through the addition of efficient ultraviolet absorbers that are capable of acting as efficient scavengers for light and blocking the formation of free radicals within the polymeric chains
Summary
Ultraviolet (UV) light has harmful effects on materials used in outdoor applications. As a result of UV light absorption, leads to discoloration, cracks, and loss of mechanical and Polymers 2022, 14, 20. The technique was developed overyears the years allow the production of plastics on polymerization an industrial scale. There developed has been a massive increase intothe production of of plastics on an industrial scale. There has been a massive increase in the production ofof of plastics on an industrial scale. There has been a massive increase in the production of plastics on anonyears industrial scale. (PVC)production productionhas hasincreased increased plastics in from recent3years [4].tons. UV radiation has a negative effect on plastic (e.g., rigid PVC) lifetime and leads to the loss of its strength.
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