The present study investigates the development of distinct
UV-A
and UV-B radiation filtering materials through the introduction of
a heterocyclic bischalcone derivative [(3,5-bis{[4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]methylidene}piperidin-4-one]
(
B1
) into the matrix of PVA/Piscean collagen blend films
(1:1) prepared through the solution casting method and characterized.
The dopant concentration varied from 0.25 to 4%. The scanning electron
microscopy images showed the rough surface due to the uniform dispersion
of dopant
B1
. The addition of different concentrations
of
B1
altered the mechanical strength with a proportional
increase in Young’s modulus (146–317 MPa), tensile strength
(23.3–39.21 MPa), and decrease in its elongation at break (158.8–105.2%).
As the dopant
B1
belongs to the bischalcone class of
compounds which absorb in the UV–vis region (370 nm λ
max
) due to the α, β unsaturated keto group, it
was selected for doping. Dopant concentration-dependent increase in
density was observed in films (31–162 mg/cm
3
). The
bathochromic shift in UV absorption from 370 to 390 nm for λ
max
as well as hyperchromism was evidenced with proportional
increase in the concentration of
B1
, indicating its capacity
to block UV rays. On determining the UV filtering ability for all
the prepared films, the one with 4% dopant showed a higher sun protection
factor (SPF) with a value of 27.53 and ultraviolet protection factor
(UPF) with a value of 58.23. In addition, the degradation of supercoiled
PBR322 DNA on UV irradiation was effectively inhibited by these films
with a dopant concentration of 0.5–4.0%, which might cause
less harm to the skin. The inferences of the experiments would indicate
the use of these water-insoluble films as UV blocking potential materials
with a merit of SPF and UPF characteristics.