Photo-physical and Morphological Study of Polymers: A Review

This review summarized the photo-oxidative degradation cause by ultraviolet radiation that led to break in the polymer chains, increases free radical and decreases the molecular weight. This can deteriorate the mechanical properties and affect the predicted life of materials. Although plastic has many benefits, there are many disadvantages including the toxicity of some materials that may leach and affect adversely the living organisms. The additives of the UV stabilizers have been categorized to absorbers or pigments which called UV screeners, hydroperoxide decomposer, excited state deactivators (quencher) and radical scavengers.UV radiation represents a very small proportion of sunlight but is the major cause of photodegradation of PVC and other polymeric materials. Photodegradation is irreversible and leads to permanent changes in the properties and performance of the polymeric materials.