The preparation of zinc silicate/ZnO particles and their use as an efficient UV absorber

The formation of zinc silicate/ZnO particles synthesized by a two-step method and their incorporation into PMMA is presented. In the first step a segmented-flow tubular reactor was used for the continuous room-temperature preparation of a zinc silicate/Zn(OH)2 gel that was thermally treated after rinsing and drying in the second step. The same preparation procedure was also employed for the synthesis of pure ZnO and pure zinc silicate particles. It was found that the presence of the zinc silicate phase significantly influenced the final particle size, decreased the degree of crystallization and reduced the particles’ UV absorption capabilities. The reduced photocatalytic activity of the zinc silicate/ZnO particles indicated that the majority of ZnO crystallites were formed inside the zinc silicate matrix. The nanocomposite prepared from zinc silicate/ZnO particles (0.04 wt.%) and PMMA showed high UV shielding and at the same time sufficient transmittance in the visible-light region.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We used innovative gel-route in order to prepare zinc silicate/ZnO nano-particles. ► Continuous reactor was efficient for synthesizing ZnO and zinc silicate/ZnO precursors. ► Introduction of Si into reaction mixture influenced on particle size and their photoactivity. ► Prepared particles are appropriate for UV absorbers in polymers.