Study the Photodegradation of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in Presence and Absence of Benzophenone and Eosine Dye

Abstract

The induced photodegradation of poly hydroxypropyl cellulose films  in air was investigated (for 350 hrs.) in presence and absence of benzophenone and eosine dye (photosensitizer) by accelerated weathering tester.

The addition of (0.1wt %) of benzophenone and eosine dye to poly hydroxypropyl cellulose films (25µm in thickness) enhanced the photodegradation of the polymer films. The photodegradation rate was followed by increase in carbonyl absorbance of polymers using infrared (I.R.) and UV-visible. spectra respectively and viscosity.

The concluded from this work the eosine dye enhance degradation of polymer more than benzophenone. According to the spectra results, the induced photodegradation mechanisms of polymer films were suggested under the experimental conditions employed using UV-radiation at ? = 313 nm , light intensity 3.49*10^-5 einsteins.dm^-3.S^-1 at temperature 45 ^oC.

Key words: photodegradation, hydroxypropyl cellulose