Preparation of polypropylene nanofibers reinforced multifunctional epoxy composite concrete with ultraviolet‐driven afterglow emission

In order to develop smart concrete with afterglow emission, epoxy resin (EPX) was immobilized with nanoparticles of alkaline earth aluminate (NAEA) as a photoluminescent agent and electrospun polypropylene nanofibers (EPN) as a reinforcement agent. Scanning electron microscope images of EPN displaye...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of applied polymer science Vol. 141; no. 25
Main Authors Aldalbahi, Ali, Thamer, Badr M., Abdulhameed, Meera Moydeen, El‐Newehy, Mohamed H.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 05.06.2024
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
Subjects
Afterglows
Chemical composition
Electron microscopes
electrospinning
Emission
Epoxy resins
Hydrophobicity
Nanofibers
optical properties
Photochromism
Photoluminescence
polyolefins
Polypropylene
Scratch resistance
Scratching
Smart materials
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Summary:In order to develop smart concrete with afterglow emission, epoxy resin (EPX) was immobilized with nanoparticles of alkaline earth aluminate (NAEA) as a photoluminescent agent and electrospun polypropylene nanofibers (EPN) as a reinforcement agent. Scanning electron microscope images of EPN displayed diameters of 70–90 nm, whereas transmission electron microscopic images showed that NAEA has diameters of 3–9 nm. To create a transparent sheet that glows in the dark, NAEA were physically immobilized in EPN@EPX composite. CIE Lab and photoluminescence spectrum studies demonstrated that EPN@EPX bars turned greenish upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and greenish‐yellow in a darkened box. The luminous EPN@EPX morphologies and chemical compositions were analyzed using various analytical methods. The resistance to scratching of EPN@EPX bars was monitored to considerably increase with increasing NAEA concentration. The photoluminescence spectrum demonstrated two emission peaks at 437 and 518 nm. Photoluminescent EPN@EPX hybrids with low NAEA content have shown rapid photochromism reversibility. On the contrary, NAEA‐rich EPN@EPX bars displayed slow reversibility, glowing in the dark. Superhydrophobicity and UV blockage were found to be significantly improved in the luminescent colorless EPN@EPX hybrids. Preparation of photoluminescent transparent electrospun polypropylene nanofiber‐reinforced epoxy concrete toward afterglow emission, hydrophobicity, photostability, and ultraviolet blocking.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.55545