Preparation of acrylate copolymer modified byTiO₂nanoparticles with excellent photo‐oxidative stability for application in ancient ivory conservation

Abstract

In this work, acrylate copolymer has been fabricated by graft copolymerization of acrylate monomer (EMA:EA is 70:30) with functional TiO2 nanoparticles, which was surface‐modified by the silane coupling agent methacryloxy propyl trimethoxyl silane (KH570) to attach active ends. The structure and properties of the copolymer were characterized by FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet‐visible spectra, and discoloration. Characterization revealed that functional TiO2 particles were grafted onto the chain of the acrylate copolymer and the acrylate copolymer showed excellent photo‐oxidative stability and transparency. The acrylate copolymer was applied to protect and consolidate ancient ivory by surface coating without destruction of chemical structure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43291.