UV resistibility of a nano-ZnO/glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite: Fid-Bau Portal

UV resistibility of a nano-ZnO/glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite

Wong, Tsz-ting / Lau, Kin-tak / Tam, Wai-yin / Leng, Jinsong / Etches, Julie A.

Highlights • A GFRE composite with UV resistibility is introduced. • The bonding behaviour and UV resistibility of the composite were studied upon the addition of nano-ZnO particles. • The solvent effect in the dispersion of nano-ZnO particles was also studied. • The nano-ZnO/GFRE composite shows effective UV absorption with enhanced bonding behaviour.

Abstract The harmfulness of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR) to human health and polymer degradation has been the focus recently in all engineering industries. A polymer-based composite filled with nano-ZnO particles can enhance its UV resistibility. It has been found that the use of appropriate amount of nano-ZnO/Isopropyl alcohol solvent to prepare a UV resistant nano-ZnO/glass fibre reinforced epoxy (ZGFRE) composite can effectively block the UV transmission with negligible influence on the crystal structure of its resin system. This paper aims at investigating the interfacial bonding behaviour and UV resistibility of a ZGFRE composite. The solvent effect in relation to the dispersion properties of ZnO in the composite is also discussed. XRD results indicated that 20wt% Isopropyl alcohol was an effective solvent for filling nano-ZnO particles into an epoxy. SEM examination also showed that the bonding behaviour between glass fibre and matrix was enhanced after filling 20wt% nano-ZnO particles with 20wt% Isopropyl alcohol into the composite. Samples filled with 20wt% nano-ZnO/Isopropyl alcohol and 40wt% nano-ZnO/Isopropyl alcohol has full absorption of UVA (315–400nm), UVB (280–315nm) and a part of UVC (190–280nm).