PVC-Based Ultraviolet Screening Films Modified by Chitosan Capped ZnO–Hydroxyapatite

Abstract

Exploring new material structures of low photocatalytic degradation activity for ultraviolet screening is one of the important methods for improving polyvinylchloride (PVC) performance. As an important kind of ultraviolet (UV) shielding agent material, nano zinc oxide (ZnO) has been applied extensively in many fields due to its outstanding properties. However, the severe aggregation behavior between nanoparticles (NPs) and photocatalytic activity greatly limits the application. In this work, surface modification of ZnO with hydroxyapatite and chitosan (ZnO–Hap/CS) was fabricated. Then via a solution casting technique dispersed within the PVC matrix. The results demonstrated that the obtained composite exhibited the best ultraviolet screening performance greatly decreasing the photocatalytic degradation activity of ZnO. It is expected that this approach is prospective for the large-scale preparation of nano ZnO with excellent UV-blocking performance and low photocatalytic degradation activity.