Energy transfer processes involving ultraviolet stabilizers. Quenching of singlet oxygen

Abstract

Abstract The role of electronically excited singlet ( 1 Δ g ) oxygen molecules in the photooxidation of polymers has received increased attention in recent years. Little information regarding the interaction of ultraviolet stabilizers with singlet oxygen is known, however. In this study, singlet oxygen was produced by a microwave discharge in a flow system and rate constants were obtained for quenching by ultraviolet stabilizers. It was found that some nickel chelate stabilizers are effective quenchers of singlet oxygen and their quenching behaviors can be correlated with ultraviolet stabilization effectiveness in thin polypropylene and polyethylene films. The best oxygen quenchers of those examined are nickel chelates with sulfur donor ligands.