Synthesis of halloysite nanotube based composite for enhanced ultraviolet shielding performance

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation accelerates material degradation and poses health risks, which drives the demand for effective UV-shielding materials. Halloysite is an aluminosilicate mineral with characteristic tubular morphology that has been widely attracted attention for its broad technological applications. In this study, halloysite nanotube efficient combination with tungsten oxide (WO3) and polydopamine (PDA), then product was integrated into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix and prepared composite films. The results showed the modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) (HNTs@WO3/PDA) had a better dispersion in the PVC matrix. The UV transmittance of PVC films creased comparison with the pure PVC, with 2.0 wt% particles was able to shield about 55.1% UVA and 62.8% UVB, respectively, and UPF value reached 2.36. Meanwhile, for (2.0%–0.0%) particles/PVC films, the Rh B solution was degraded at value 89–71, after 240 min of UV irradiation. Thermal analyses revealed that HNTs@WO3/PDA can improve the PVC’s thermal stability compared with unmodified HNTs.