Thermal, mechanical and UV-shielding properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/cerium dioxide hybrid systems obtained by melt compounding

Thick and homogeneous hybrid film systems based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and CeO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized using the melt compounding method to improve thermal stability, mechanical and UV-shielding properties, as well as to propose them for use in the multifunctional materials industry. The effect of the inorganic phase on these properties was assessed by using two different weight percentages of synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles (0.5 and 1.0 wt %) with the sol-gel method and thermal treatment at different temperatures (120, 235, 400, 600 and 800 °C). Thereafter, the nanoceria powders were added to the polymer matrix by single screw extrusion. The absorption in the UV region was increased with the crystallite size of the CeO₂ nanoparticles and the PMMA/CeO₂ weight ratio. Due to the crystallinity of CeO₂ nanoparticles, the thermal, mechanical and UV-shielding properties of the PMMA matrix were improved. The presence of CeO₂ nanostructures exerts an influence on the mobility of PMMA chain segments, leading to a different glass transition temperature.