Long-Term UV-Photoprotection of Transparent Composite Materials Using In-Situ Generated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles as Functional Polymer Additives

The properties of nanoscale titanium dioxide particles generated in-situ during a polycondensation process are explored and the compounds obtained are investigated as UV-stabilizing additives for the formation of ultradurable powder coatings. Beneficial effects of TiO2 nanoparticles for the long-term photoprotection of polyester composite materials under accelerated weathering conditions could be clearly demonstrated. These results are of considerable interest for the development of new hybrid organic-inorganic systems to be used as transparent coatings for outdoor applications such as UV-resistant protection layers stabilized with functional nanoparticles based on cheap, environmentally benign and abundant compounds Keywords: Transparent coatings, UV-stabilization, polyester nanocomposites, functional additives.