Preparation and characterization of UV-cured polyurethane acrylate/ZnO nanocomposite films

A series of polyurethane acrylate/ZnO (PUA/ZnO) nanocomposite films with different ZnO contents were successfully prepared via a UV-curing system. The synthesis and physical properties including morphological structure, thermal properties, barrier properties and optical properties, and antimicrobial properties were investigated as a function of ZnO concentration. FTIR and SEM results showed that these PUA/ZnO nanocomposite films did not have a strong interaction between PUA and ZnO, which may lead to no increase in thermal stability. By incorporating ZnO nanoparticles, the UV blocking and antibacterial properties increased as the content of ZnO increased. Specially, the oxygen permeability in composite films changed from 2005 cc/m ²/day to 150 cc/m ²/day by adding the ZnO nanoparticle, which indicates that the PUA/ZnO nanocomposite films can be applied as good barrier packaging materials. Physical properties of the UV-cured PUA/ZnO nanocomposite film are strongly dependent upon the dispersion state of ZnO nanoparticles and their morphology in the films.