UV Blocking Research Articles (Page 1)

Despite promising results, biocomposite research still requires elaboration, particularly with regard to functional properties and applications. In this study, multilayer biocomposites based on gelatin, κ-carrageenan and carboxymethylcellulose were enriched with sage or blackberry extracts. The films were characterized based on their physicochemical traits and bioactivity for application as active packaging and environmental biodegradation. FTIR confirmed extract integration and strong matrix interactions, while UV-VIS analysis showed efficient UV blocking. Water properties remained acceptable (WVTR ≈ 550 g/m2 × d); solubility decreased for BB (41.73% vs. 53.45% control). Mechanical testing indicated a plasticizing effect: elongation increased (20.00% control; 35.35% BB; 39.29% SAGE), while tensile strength and Young’s modulus decreased. Antioxidant capacity rose (FRAP: 0.38 control, 1.97 BB, 4.48 SAGE µTrolox/mg; DPPH: 6.38% control, 85.68% BB, 78.25% SAGE; MCA: none). During refrigerated storage, antimicrobial effects were most evident on days 6–9. Lipid oxidation peaked for BB (0.92 mg MDA/kg, day 9), while pH was more stable with SAGE. Biodegradation and phytotoxicity confirmed environmental safety and compostability, with increased humic acid carbon in vermicompost. Overall, the results confirm the relevance of modifying biopolymers using green chemistry and highlight their importance for quality management, food safety and sustainable circular economy strategies.

A multifunctional light management layer for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is presented, made from anisotropic pectin cryogel infiltrated with poly(methyl methacrylate), further enhanced by the incorporation of 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrabromo‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene. The effectiveness of the composite layers is evaluated by attaching them to the front glass surface of the PSCs. As a result, the current density of the functionalized PSC increases by an average of 4.4 ± 0.3% relative to pristine PSCs. The improvement is credited to the presence of haze, downconversion, and a 50% reduction in reflectance between 400 and 800 nm compared to glass. The power conversion efficiency of composite‐attached PSCs increases by 5 ± 0.2% relative to pristine PSCs. Moreover, the composite effectively mitigated UV‐induced photodegradation and localized heating, extending the operational stability of PSCs, as proven by maximum power point tracking tests. The surface temperature decreases, and the T80 of the functionalized PSCs increases by up to 2.6‐fold compared to pristine PSCs, primarily due to the composites’ significantly low thermal conductivity and UV blocking. These findings suggest that this eco‐friendly and lightweight composite offers a viable solution for better‐performing and more stable PSCs, advancing the potential for their widespread commercial adoption in various environments, including heavy UV exposure.

A multifunctional nanozyme hydrogel film with antibacterial and antioxidant activity for fruit packaging and freshness preservation.

A novel two-step wet-chemical synthesis produced neodymium-doped core/shell heterojunctions, Copper(II) oxide (neodymium)/Zinc oxide(CuO(Nd)/ZnO and Zinc oxide (neodymium)/Copper(II) oxide ZnO(Nd)/CuO), with tunable optoelectronic and photocatalytic properties. Structural characterization via x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals uniform crystallite sizes (6.3-31.4 nanometers- nm) and distinct morphologies: hexagonal for CuO(Nd)/ZnO and spherical for ZnO(Nd)/CuO. Incorporating neodymium induced lattice strain (7.8-10.2 × 10⁻⁴) and increased Urbach energies (5.0-15.3 millielectron volts-meV), enhancing defect states. Tauc analysis demonstrated bandgap narrowing to 2.49-3.17eV for ZnO and 1.49-1.55eV for CuO. ZnO(Nd)/CuO achieved a remarkable 94.6% degradation of malachite green (MG) under cost-effective 500W (W) white light irradiation. This significantly surpasses the performance of undoped systems (by 5%) and generally exceeds that reported for other nanocomposites (≤ 90%) in the literature. Conversely, CuO(Nd)/ZnO exhibited 89.04% ultraviolet blocking efficiency at 280-315nm (UV-B), outperforming polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with ZnO quantum dots (50-60%) and ZnO nanoparticles with polylactic acid composite films (15-75%). These enhancements stem from neodymium(III) (Nd³)-mediated trap states, optimized band alignment, and charge separation at the heterojunction interface. Integrating rare-earth doping with core/shell architecture provides a scalable route for high-performance photocatalytic and ultraviolet-protective materials.

The growing demand for natural and sustainable food preservatives has drawn interest in carbon dots (CDs) derived from plant sources. This study aimed to synthesize CDs from dried German chamomile flowers (DF) and residual biomass (RB) obtained after essential oil extraction using a hydrothermal process. Their characteristics, bioactivities and cytotoxicity were examined. Both DF-CDs and RB-CDs were spherical (7–10 nm), exhibited strong UV blocking properties and tunable fluorescence and were rich in polyphenolic functional groups, especially the –OH group. DF-CDs generally showed higher antioxidant capacity than RB-CDs as assayed by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities, FRAP and metal chelation activity. Both CDs showed antibacterial effects toward pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes) and spoilage bacteria (Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in a dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity was assessed in BJ human fibroblasts, and both CDs exhibited high biocompatibility (>88% viability at 1000 µg/mL). When both CDs at 300 and 600 ppm were applied in a precooked baby clam edible portion (PBC-EP) stored at 4 °C, microbial growth, TVB and TMA contents were lower than those of the control. The total viable count was still under the limit (5.8 log CFU/mL) for the sample treated with CDs at 600 ppm up to 9 days, while the control was kept for only 3 days. Furthermore, the lipid oxidation level (PV and TBARS value) of PBC-EP decreased with CD treatment, especially at higher concentrations (600 ppm). Therefore, chamomile-derived CDs could serve as a promising alternative for perishable seafood preservation.

Characterization of intelligent film based on chitosan/high-amylose starch and Portulaca oleracea L. flavonoids/anthocyanins/curcumin and its application in beef.

Oxide ceramic aerogels offer exceptional thermal insulation and chemical stability but face limitations due to brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and costly, complex manufacturing. Here, we present a roll-to-roll method for producing flexible, hydrophobic, and fire-resistant silica/mica hybrid aerogel paper. The process bypasses the need for expensive polymer sacrificial templates and high temperature sintering, instead forming aerogels directly through electrospinning stabilized tetraethyl orthosilicate and a synthetic fluorophlogopite sol. By incorporating synthetic mica nanosheets (SMNS) into SiO2 nanofibers (NFs), the resulting aerogels achieve a low thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/m·K and density of 5 mg/cm3 and withstands temperatures >1800 °C. It also exhibits 99% UV blocking, mechanical robustness, and superior hydrophobicity, overcoming key challenges in ceramic aerogel applications. This approach enables scalable, cost-effective production of high-performance ceramic aerogels.

Effective UV and blue light blocking filters with high visible transparency utilizing graphene quantum dots

Synthesis of bio-based poly(diethylene furanoate)-block-polylactide copolymers with UV blocking properties

Tannic Acid-Enhanced Cellulose/PEDOT:PSS Films Exhibiting Low Electrical Hysteresis, UV Blocking, and Antibacterial Properties for Wearable Sensing

An all-natural strategy for versatile biomass-based active food packaging film with superior biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Dots from Guava Leaves (Psidium guajava L.): UV Blocking, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Functions

Abstract Glistening is the condensation of water that forms within intraocular lens (IOL), which can degrade the patient's vision quality. Photo‐initiation and thermal‐initiation polymerization are widely used for the preparation of IOL materials. However, few studies have been attempted to investigate the difference between the above two polymerization methods in reducing the glistening of IOL materials. In this work, the difference in glistening between the two methods is investigated for preparing hydrophobic acrylic IOL materials. An interesting result is obtained that the glistening of photopolymerized IOL materials is much smaller than that of thermally polymerized IOL materials. The difference in glistening by the two polymerization methods can be explained by the temperature‐dependency of equilibrium water content (EWC) of IOL materials. The IOL materials prepared by photo‐initiation polymerization showed less EWC reduction with decreasing temperature than those obtained by thermal‐initiation polymerization, resulting in less glistening. Additionally, the IOL materials made by photo‐initiation polymerization has a greater UV blocking effect than those obtained by thermal‐initiation polymerization. These findings may provide additional insight into the development of commercial IOLs that can reduce glistening.

Development of multifunctional starch/pectin composite film engineered with ZIF-67-loaded microcrystalline cellulose for real-time monitoring and preserving of pork freshness.

Wool textiles with multifunctional properties such as self-cleaning, antibacterial, electrical conductivity, UV blocking etc. have recently attracted interest. Among the materials employed towards their development, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated due to their unique chemical, mechanical and electrical properties, exhibiting also notable UV-blocking properties. However, their limited dispersibility in solvents, particularly in water, has hindered their extensive industrial application and diminished their significant potential. In this work, two guanidinylated derivatives of hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (GPEI5k and PEI 25K) functionalized oxCNTs (oxCNTs@GPEI5K and oxCNTs@GPEI5K), with exceptional aqueous compatibility and colloidal stability, developed in our recent publication, were evaluated as to their antibacterial activity on Gram (-) Escherichia coli and Gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells, and the most promising, i.e., oxCNTs@GPEI5K, was subsequently used as finishing agent of wool fabric. The resulting wool textiles were evaluated for color, wash fastness, antibacterial properties, and UV-blocking performance. The GPEI-functionalized oxCNTs derivative, exhibited uniform distribution and good adhesion onto the wool fabrics yielding multifunctional wool fabrics with sustained antibacterial properties even after multiple washing cycles. Additionally, the modified textiles exhibited improved ultraviolet protection, highlighting their potential for multifunctional applications in antibacterial and UV-shielding textiles.

Abstract Nanocomposite polyurethane (PU) materials have broad application prospects in the fields of optics and artistic colors, but there are few systematic studies on the application of nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂), nano-zinc oxide (ZnO), and nano-silver (Ag) in PU matrices. The aim of this study is to prepare a PU matrix with the same transmittance but better UV absorption by adding these nanoparticles to improve the optical properties and UV resistance of the material. In this study, the solution method was used to prepare and characterize nano-TiO2, ZnO and Ag particles, and their addition amount and dispersion state were precisely controlled to prepare composite materials with different mass fractions. The properties of these composites were comprehensively evaluated by UV-visible spectroscopy analysis, transmission electron microscopy observation, and color measurement methods. The results showed that nano-TiO₂ significantly improved the transparency and UV blocking ability of the material, nano-ZnO enhanced the UV stability, and nano-Ag improved the transparency, antibacterial properties, and color stability. The specific data are as follows: the transmittance of nano-TiO2 and ZnO dropped from 85 to 55%, respectively, and the transmittance of nano-Ag dropped from 90 to 60%; in terms of ultraviolet absorption rate, nano-TiO2 increased from 10 to 45%, ZnO increased from 15 to 50%, and Ag increased from 20 to 55%. In addition, the study evaluated the effects of UV irradiation on the optical properties and color stability of the nanocomposites and found that the addition of nanoparticles significantly improved the material’s resistance to UV aging. In summary, the kind and location of nanoparticles have a substantial impact on the properties of PU composites. This study provides a scientific basis for the creation of high-performance nanocomposite PU materials.

Protein and polysaccharide edible coatings: A promising approach for fruits preservation - recent advances.

Inspired by the reinforcement mechanisms observed in biomaterials, cellulose/lignin composite membranes are prepared successfully by mixing nanolignin and nanocellulose and impregnating them with metal ion solution. Metal ion cross-linking and hydrogen bonds between cellulose and lignin create a robust cross-linking network. The composite films achieve a tensile strength of 223.8 MPa, more than twice that of pure nanocellulose films (104 MPa), and surpass commonly used commercial petroleum-based plastics. Through investigation utilizing dynamic rheological experiments and density functional theory, the interactions between cellulose fibers and lignin are elucidated, showcasing the synergistic effects of Ca2+ cross-linked oxygen-containing functional groups and hydrogen bonding. These interactions enhance the strength and toughness of the composite films. Capitalizing on the hydrophobic nature of nanolignin and the strong interactions between metal ions and oxygen-containing functional groups, the wet strength of the composite films reached 33.3 MPa. Moreover, the composite material demonstrates optical properties, electromechanical stability, and thermal stability, including the UV blocking rate. Compared to petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride), cellulose-based films completely degrade within 30 days. With its inherent biodegradability, the composite films have the potential to replace conventional plastics in various applications, advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.

ABSTRACT This study explores the development of a nanocomposite hydrogel with antimicrobial and mechanical properties by incorporating ZnO nanoparticles into a Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend via a moist heat treatment method. The hydrogel nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a universal testing machine (UTM). The drug release profile of cephalexin was evaluated in pH 6.8 using UV–Visible spectrophotometry at 262 nm. Antimicrobial testing was performed against Gram-positive Bacillus megaterium and Gram-negative Pseudomonas fluorescens, showing that PVP-CMC/ZnO nanocomposites significantly inhibited bacterial growth compared to PVP-CMC hydrogel. Additionally, UV blocking characteristics and SPF were assessed by mixing the nanocomposite with Nivea cream, revealing that PVP-CMC/ZnO (10%) exhibited superior SPF and UV-blocking capabilities. Based on these findings, PVP-CMC/ZnO nanocomposites possess potential for use as antimicrobial films, drug delivery systems, and in cosmetic formulations.

Reactive template method for synthesis of water-soluble fluorescent silver nanoclusters supported on the surface of cellulose nanofibers.