Fluorinated Polyimide/Allomelanin Nanocomposites for UV-Shielding Applications

A series of highly fluorinated polyimide/allomelanin nanoparticles (FPI/AMNPs) films were prepared with FPI as the matrix and AMNPs as the filler. Due to the formation of hydrogen bonds, significantly reinforced mechanical and UV-shielding properties are acquired. Stress-strain curves demonstrated a maximum tensile strength of 150.59 MPa and a fracture elongation of 1.40% (0.7 wt.% AMNPs), respectively, 1.78 and 1.56x that of pure FPI. The measurements of the UV-vis spectrum, photodegradation of curcumin and repeated running tests confirmed the splendid UV-shielding capabilities of FPI/AMNPs films. The enhancement mechanisms, such as synergistic UV absorption of the charge transfer complexes in FPI and AMNPs and photothermal conversion, were the reasons for its exceptional UV shielding. The excellent comprehensive properties above enable FPI/AMNPs nanocomposites to be potential candidates in the field of UV shielding.

Automated summary

A series of highly fluorinated polyimide/allomelanin nanoparticles (FPI/AMNPs) films were prepared, showing significantly enhanced mechanical and UV-shielding properties due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. The tensile strength and fracture elongation of the FPI/AMNPs films were 1.78 and 1.56 times that of pure FPI, respectively. UV-vis spectrum measurements, photodegradation tests, and repeated running tests confirmed the excellent UV-shielding capabilities of the FPI/AMNPs films. The synergistic UV absorption and photothermal conversion of charge transfer complexes in FPI and AMNPs were identified as the enhancement mechanisms for UV shielding.