Preparation and characterization of Epoxy/TiO2 thin films for Anti-UVB coating

Thin films of pure epoxy and Epoxy/TiO2 were successfully prepared using the spin coating method. The epoxy was doped with different weight ratios of TiO2 nanoparticles for the purpose of studying the effect of increasing its percentage on the properties of epoxy thin films. The surface topography of the prepared films was studied using an atomic force microscope (AFM), which showed that the surfaces of the samples became rougher with an increase in the doping of TiO2 nanoparticles. The functional groups were measured using a Fourier infrared spectrometer (FTIR), which showed the presence of TiO2 bonds in the epoxy matrix at wave numbers 400 and 862 cm-1. Optical measurements for absorbance, transmittance, and reflectivity showed a clear effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the optical properties of the prepared samples through high absorbance for ultraviolet ray’s B (UVB) and low absorbance for visible light. Reflectivity decreases at the wavelengths of UVB and increases at the wavelengths of visible light with an increasing doping ratio. This makes these thin films candidates for use in anti-UVB coatings.