The development of eco-friendly UV-protective polyacrylate/rutile TiO2 coating

This work aims to prepare a coating with good UV protection properties while maintaining optimal transparency. In this work, the addition of 0-2 wt.% TiO2 on the properties of polyacrylate (PA), the method of preparation, and the effect of UV exposure on coatings were investigated. Rutile TiO2/PA coatings were prepared by ex situ and in situ emulsion polymerization. The results showed that the addition of nanoparticles and the preparation method significantly affect the particle size distributions of PA, such that ex situ emulsions show the presence of agglomerates, while they are not visible in in situ emulsions. Viscosity also depends on the preparation method, so ex situ emulsions show no change with the addition of nanoparticles, while in situ emulsions show an increase in viscosity. In situ coatings also have better morphology and transparency compared to ex situ. The addition of nanoparticles increases the thermal stability of PA in the later stages of thermal degradation and causes a decrease in tensile strength with an increase in elongation at break of PA. In situ coatings also provide better UV protection properties compared to ex situ coating films.