Rare‐Earth Aluminate Nanoparticles and Alumina/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Nanofibers as Functional and Reinforcement Agents Toward Transparent and Photoluminescent Plastic as Ultraviolet Filter

ABSTRACT Mechanically reliable photoluminescent bricks were developed by reinforcing polyurethane (PUR) with electrospun alumina nanofibers (EAN). Nanoparticles of rare‐earth aluminate (NRA) were physically integrated into PUR bricks to impart photoluminescence and photochromic capabilities. EAN was applied to polyurethane plastic bars as a reinforcing agent to improve their mechanical characteristics. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), NRA has diameters of 40–180 nm. Both photoluminescence spectra and colorimetric coordinates were used to verify that EAN@PUR is transparent and undergoes a greenish color shift when exposed to UV light. An emission peak was reported at 518 nm when an excitation wavelength (375 nm) was applied. The EAN@PUR bars with lower NRA contents displayed a fluorescence emission that was instantly reversible. At higher concentrations of NRA, EAN@PUR exhibited delayed reversibility and persistent emission. An electrospinning solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone/aluminum chloride was prepared by the sol–gel technique, and then the electrospun nanofibers were exposed to calcination. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EAN displayed diameters ranging from 80 to 230 nm. The EAN@PUR bricks were analyzed morphologically utilizing different analytical techniques. Increases in hydrophobicity and UV protection were observed as the NRA concentration increased. Additionally, the NRA‐containing EAN@PUR bricks demonstrated better scratch resistance than the NRA‐free EAN@PUR bricks.