Show simple item record

AuthorAntunes, A.
AuthorPopelka, A.
AuthorAljarod, O.
AuthorHassan, M.K.
AuthorKasak, P.
AuthorLuyt, A.S.
Available date2022-04-17T09:47:33Z
Publication Date2020
Publication NamePolymers
ResourceScopus
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/POLYM12081743
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/29901
AbstractThe effect of accelerated weathering on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and PHBV-based nanocomposites with rutile titanium (IV) dioxide (PHBV/TiO2) was investigated. The accelerated weathering test applied consecutive steps of UV irradiation (at 340 nm and 0.76 W m-2 irradiance) and moisture at 50 C following the ASTM D4329 standard for up to 2000 h of exposure time. The morphology, chemical structure, crystallization, as well as the mechanical and thermal properties were studied. Samples were characterized after 500, 1000, and 2000 h of exposure time. Different degradation mechanisms were proposed to occur during the weathering exposure and were confirmed based on the experimental data. The PHBV surface revealed cracks and increasing roughness with the increasing exposure time, whereas the PHBV/TiO2 nanocomposites showed surface changes only after 2000 h of accelerated weathering. The degradation of neat PHBV under moisture and UV exposure occurred preferentially in the amorphous phase. In contrast, the presence of TiO2 in the nanocomposites retarded this process, but the degradation would occur simultaneously in both the amorphous and crystalline segments of the polymer after long exposure times. The thermal stability, as well as the temperature and rate of crystallization, decreased in the absence of TiO2. TiO2 not only provided UV protection, but also restricted the physical mobility of the polymer chains, acting as a nucleating agent during the crystallization process. It also slowed down the decrease in mechanical properties. The mechanical properties were shown to gradually decrease for the PHBV/TiO2 nanocomposites, whereas a sharp drop was observed for the neat PHBV after an accelerated weathering exposure. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), using the amplitude modulation-frequency modulation (AM-FM) tool, also confirmed the mechanical changes in the surface area of the PHBV and PHBV/TiO2 samples after accelerated weathering exposure. The changes in the physical and chemical properties of PHBV/TiO2 confirm the barrier activity of TiO2 for weathering attack and its retardation of the degradation process.
SponsorThis research was funded through the Qatar University Collaborative Grant No. QUCG-CAM 19/20-3. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors would also like to thank the Qatar University Central Laboratories Unit (QUCLU) for their assistance with the SEM measurements of the samples.
Languageen
PublisherMDPI AG
SubjectAccelerated weathering degradation
Morphology and properties
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)
Rutile titanium (IV) dioxide
TitleAccelerated weathering effects on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and PHBV/TiO2 nanocomposites
TypeArticle
Issue Number8
Volume Number12
dc.accessType Abstract Only


Files in this item

FilesSizeFormatView

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record