Influence of MWNT on polypropylene and polyethylene photooxidation

Nanocomposites containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared by melt compounding with polypropylene and polyethylene. The samples were UV-light irradiated in artificial accelerated conditions representative of solar irradiation (l>300 nm) at 60 °C in air. The chemical modifications resulting from photooxidation were followed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The behaviour of nanocomposites containing MWNT depends from the type of polymer and presence or absence of antioxidant. The presence of MWNT affect photooxidation of the two polymers working as an UV-screener on the other hand the increase of thermal oxidation provoked by conversion of photon energy into thermal partially balance the decrease of positive effects on oxidation rate. The negative effects can be minimized by the presence of antioxidants that show interesting synergistic effects with MWNT.