Improving UV Light Protection: Enhancing the Physical Properties of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) through Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Filling

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) finds wide-ranging applications, including protective clothing, pipes, gloves, and tubing. Recent studies have prioritized the enhancement of PVC's performance to meet specific criteria. This study delves into the impact of incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles into PVC films to bolster their UV light protection and chemical stability. Five modified PVC films, each laden with distinct metal oxide nanoparticles, were prepared and juxtaposed against the unaltered PVC film. These films endured 300 hours of UV light exposure and underwent assessment through gel content analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The outcomes divulged that the modified PVC films, especially those embedding Cr2O3 nanoparticles, exhibited diminished UV light absorbance and minimal gel content after an overnight immersion in tetrahydrofuran solvent. This attests to an elevated UV protection level and heightened chemical stability when compared to the plain PVC film. Our findings underscore the potential of metal oxide nanoparticle modification in amplifying the attributes of PVC films for demanding applications.