Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 November 2013
The photodegradation of polypropylene (PP)/ZnO composites at different concentrations was evaluated under solar simulated exposure of respective nanocomposite films. Nanocomposites were prepared by solid mixing using a cryogenic mill, and then films were prepared by compression molding. All films showed a good dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles without affect considerably the optical properties of the films. The films were exposed in a solar simulation chamber under three xenon arc lamps with a 340nm filter. Degradation of PP/ZnO nanocomposite films was monitored by formation of oxidative groups and changes on surface microstructure. FTIR results showed that oxidation groups in nanocomposites films increased by using cuasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles.