Preparation of a Nano-TiO₂-Loaded Antioxidant and Its Anti-aging Performance against UV/O₃ in Thermoplastic Vulcanizates

Abstract

To promote the anti-aging performance of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) versus ultraviolet (UV)/O3 exposure, a nano-TiO2-loaded antioxidant (TiO2-KH570-MB) was prepared by a thiol–ene reaction between 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MB) and modified nano-TiO2 (TiO2-KH570). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the chemical linkage between MB and modified nano-TiO2, and the loading amount of MB was approximately 5.19 wt %. The contact angle test showed that the surface hydrophobicity of TiO2-KH570-MB was significantly increased due to the immobilization of MB. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that TiO2-KH570-MB was uniformly distributed in the TPV matrix. The anti-aging property of TPV compounds was tested in the device with high-intensity ultraviolet radiation and high-concentration ozone. The effects of UV/O3 comprehensive aging on the TPV compounds were evaluated by means of the variations of surface morphology, tensile test, hardness, gel content, and carbonyl index with aging time. On the basis of the aging behavior, we concluded that TPV/TiO2-KH570-MB exhibited excellent stability against UV/O3 aging, due to the homogeneous dispersion, low level of migration, and low volatility of TiO2-KH570-MB.

Recent Trends of Recycling and Upcycling of Polymers and Composites: A Comprehensive Review

“…Another commercial antioxidant, Irganox HP2921, was added to lab-synthesized thermoplastic polyurethane/silicone thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) in combination with a crosslinking agent, compatibilizers, and processing aid, and successfully enhanced the mechanical properties of the material [178]. The excellent antiaging performance of a synthesized nano-TiO 2 -loaded antioxidant (TiO 2 -KH570-MB) in TPV matrix against UV/O 3 was demonstrated by Yang et al [179]. This nano antioxidant exhibits a high efficiency in anti-aging performance and achieves a significant increase in the service life of polymer products due to the better compatibility and the lower level of migration and volatility of the chemically bonded 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MB).…”

Antimigration Polypropylene Antioxidants: A Review

“…Modifying the surface of inorganic nanoparticles with the antioxidant changes the surface properties from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, reduces the surface energy, and facilitates the dispersion in the polymer. 64 Inorganic immobilization of antioxidants is also one of the significant research directions of antimigration antioxidants. Over the past decade, the design and synthesis of inorganic immobilized antioxidants and their performance in polymers have been the subject of much investigation.…”

“…The chemical bonding greatly enhances the antimigration performance and extraction resistance of antioxidants, leading to long-term stable antioxidant effects; and (III) one of the primary reasons for the easy agglomeration of inorganic nanomaterials is their high surface energy and hydrophilicity. Modifying the surface of inorganic nanoparticles with the antioxidant changes the surface properties from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, reduces the surface energy, and facilitates the dispersion in the polymer …”

Synchronously improved ozone aging resistance and tribological performance of self‐lubricating fabric composites via 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole

“…Elea Vernack et al [ 26 ] compared and studied the 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and MB adsorption on Cu (111) by a systematic DFT and found that the MB molecule adsorbs more strongly than the MBT molecular owing to better lateral interactions in the organic layer. Yang et al [ 27 ] synthesized TiO 2 ‐KH570‐MB hybrid nanoparticle and used to promate the ultraviolet and ozone anti‐aging performance of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), the results indicated that the TiO 2 ‐KH570‐MB exhibited outstanding stability against UV/O 3 aging and homogeneous dispersion in TPV.…”