Ceria doped mullite reinforced polybenzoxazine nanocomposites with improved UV‐shielding and thermo‐mechanical properties

In this present work, the UV shielding behavior of various mol percent of Ce doped mullite samples (CM_0–5) were studied. The UV shielding behavior of mullite increasing with respect to ceria and reaching 78% of shielding tendency at 300 nm for CM₅ was one of the fascinating outcomes of the study. Based on its exhibition of high shielding tendency, CM₅ was chosen and functionalized with Glycidyl terminated silane. Subsequently, the resultant functionalized ceria doped mullite (FCM) was reinforced with polybenzoxazine (PBZ) matrix in order to build up FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. A detailed study was also conducted on the level of influence FCM yields in impacting properties such as UV shielding and thermo‐mechanical nature of FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. Upon analysis, it was determined that the 1.5 wt% FCM reinforced PBZ nanocomposite delivered 89% and 78% shielding efficiency at 300 and 200 nm UV region, respectively. Furthermore studies indicated that it exhibited 34% improved char yield, enhanced tensile strength, that is, 24.81% and 162°C as its glass transition temperature in comparison with neat PBZ matrix and other FCM/PBZ nanocomposites. These results suggest that the Ce doped mullite with high UV shielding properties can be used as a reinforcement to increase the UV shielding tendency of polymeric material which is of industrial significance. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2073–2080, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers