Photo-stabilization of linear low density polyethylene by inorganic nano-particles

In this paper the photo-degradation of linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPE) modified with inorganic nano-fillers and/or light stabilizers have been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that all the nano-fillers used-Al2O3, SiO2 and ZnO-had positive effect on the photo-stabilization of LLDPE. Among them, ZnO had the best effect, while Al2O3 the least. The influence mechanism of these three fillers was also discussed. The combination of two nano-particles had worse stabilization effect compared to a single nano-particle, which means unsynergism between fillers. Two light stabilizers, SPN and 6911, had different influences on the photo-oxidation of LLDPE. Compared to SPN, 6911 was a better antioxidant; that is to say, all the samples with 6911 had no evident photo-oxidation during the exposure time. Besides, the photo-oxidation in the surface is more than twice of that in the bulk.