The Enhancement of Photodegradation Stability of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Film by Surface Modification with Organic Functional Groups Doped with Different Type of Nano-Metal Oxides

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films were synthesized by incorporating organic groups, specifically amino groups derived from ethylene di-amine (en). The casting process was employed, with tetrahydrofuran (THF) utilized as the solvent. The incorporation of 4 metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), namely MgO, ZnO, NiO and TiO₂, was carried out to enhance the stability of the films during light exposure. The effect of UV radiation dose was significant. Subsequent exposure of the PVC films to ultraviolet light enabled the evaluation of resulting damage through various analytical and morphological techniques. The utilization of infrared spectroscopy and weight loss study suggested that the films incorporating additives exhibited less harm and little alterations on the surface, as compared to the unaltered film. Among the modified films, the PVC-en/TiO₂ NPs film exhibited the highest resistance against the photodegradation process, as evidenced by the data derived from FTIR spectra, weight loss measurements, and surface morphology analyses. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been good PVC photostabilizer because of its capacity to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) photographs of the PVC-en/TiO₂ NPs film after irradiation revealed a smooth surface, exhibiting a roughness factor (Rq) of 34.3, in contrast to the PVC (blank) which had a roughness factor of 282.2. SEM images for irradiated PVC films reveal the existence of cracks, cavities, protrusions, blemishes and formless, uneven surfaces. Microscopic images revealed that the surface of untreated PVC films exhibited significantly more pronounced damage and anomalies following irradiation compared to modified PVC films incorporating nano-metal oxides.