Ceria doped mullite reinforced polybenzoxazine nanocomposites with improved UV-shielding and thermo-mechanical properties

In this present work, the UV shielding behavior of various mol percent of Ce doped mullite samples (CM0-5) were studied. The UV shielding behavior of mullite increasing with respect to ceria and reaching 78% of shielding tendency at 300 nm for CM5 was one of the fascinating outcomes of the study. Based on its exhibition of high shielding tendency, CM5 was chosen and functionalized with Glycidyl terminated silane. Subsequently, the resultant functionalized ceria doped mullite (FCM) was reinforced with polybenzoxazine (PBZ) matrix in order to build up FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. A detailed study was also conducted on the level of influence FCM yields in impacting properties such as UV shielding and thermo-mechanical nature of FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. Upon analysis, it was determined that the 1.5 wt% FCM reinforced PBZ nanocomposite delivered 89% and 78% shielding efficiency at 300 and 200 nm UV region, respectively. Furthermore studies indicated that it exhibited 34% improved char yield, enhanced tensile strength, that is, 24.81% and 162 degrees C as its glass transition temperature in comparison with neat PBZ matrix and other FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. These results suggest that the Ce doped mullite with high UV shielding properties can be used as a reinforcement to increase the UV shielding tendency of polymeric material which is of industrial significance. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2073-2080, 2018. (c) 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers