The Preparation and Use of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Polyvinyl Chloride Photo-Stabilization

Abstract

The prevailing study reports the successful green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using orange peel extract and their application as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) photostabilizers. The method of creating ZnO NPs synthetically is both cost-effective, environmentally friendly and compliments the growing need for sustainable practices in science and industry. The ZnO NPs were synthesized using zinc nitrate and orange peel extract. The results show that the presence of orange peel extract significantly influences the morphology, size, and uniformity of the ZnO nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy showed the existence of agglomerated ZnO, NPs and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra, which revealed their composition as zinc and oxygen. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed an absorption band, corresponding to Zn–O bonding, in the range of 400-600 cm−1. The ZnO NPs’ spectrum showed a band at 596 cm−1corresponding to the Zn–O stretching vibration, indicating the formation of ZnO. The potential use of different concentrations of ZnO NPs as photostabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been studied. Thin films of PVC were produced, followed by irradiation, and the changes that occurred in the polymeric chains were assessed. The molecular weight decrease, weight loss, generation of fragments containing alkene, carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups, and the morphological features of irradiated PVC’s surface were assessed. The PVC films doped with ZnO NPs showed a lower degree of photodegradation compared to the undoped ones. The PVC film containing a ZnO NPs weight percentage of 0.05 was the most effective in decreasing the photodegradation of PVC.