Protection materials: ultraviolet shielding, high energy visible light filtering and visible light transparency PETG composite films

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) with 30% 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol is an amorphous material, which is suitable for use as a transparent matrix. In order to prevent the potential damage caused by direct exposure to the harmful light such as ultraviolet (UV) and high energy visible (HEV) light, PETG/UV absorber/benzidine yellow composite films were prepared by blending PETG resin with functional additives and then compression moulding. Optical properties of the composite films with different UV absorbers or varying benzidine yellow concentrations were investigated via an UV–visible spectrophotometer. The PETG/Tinuvin 326/benzidine yellow composite films show more than 80% optical transparency in the visible light range, 99% shielding efficiency of UV blocking up to 400 nm and absorption of HEV light from 400 to 500 nm. The protection materials could be applied to windows of automobiles and buildings, light emitting screens and sunglasses as visibly transparent, UV opaque and HEV light filtering optical films.

Keywords:

• Polymer composite
• PETG
• UV shielding
• HEV filtering
• Visible transparency

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.