Nanostructured ZnO and CuI Thin Films on Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Tapes for UV-Shielding Applications

Authors N.P. Klochko1 , K.S. Klepikova1 , D.O. Zhadan1 , V.R. Kopach1 , I.V. Khrypunova1 , S.I. Petrushenko2 , S.V. Dukarov2 , V.M. Lyubov1 , A.L. Khrypunova1
Affiliations

1National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, 2, Kyrpychova St., 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine

2V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4, Svobody Square, 61022 Kharkiv, Ukraine

Е-mail catherinakle@gmail.com
Issue Volume 12, Year 2020, Number 3
Dates Received 20 January 2020; revised manuscript received 15 June 2020; published online 25 June 2020
Citation N.P. Klochko, K.S. Klepikova, D.O. Zhadan, et al., J. Nano- Electron. Phys. 12 No 3, 03007 (2020)
DOI https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.12(3).03007
PACS Number(s) 78.40.Fy
Keywords ZnO (88) , СuI, Poly(ethylene terephthalate), Ultraviolet radiation, Sun protection factor.
Annotation

In this work, we study a suitability for protection against terrestrial ultraviolet part of the solar spectrum of undoped and doped by indium zinc oxide thin nanostructured films, ZnO and ZnO:In, respectively, and cuprous iodide (CuI) films obtained via Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) techniques on the lightweight low cost poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flexible substrates. The film morphology is observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical compositions of the films are investigated by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microanalysis. To research crystal structure we used X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The UV-protection ability of the nanostructured thin films, PET tapes and samples consisting of the PET substrates and the films deposited on them by the SILAR method has been evaluated on the base of their optical properties in accordance with an international standard ISO 2443:2012(E) “Determination of sunscreen UVA photoprotection in vitro”. According to the research, nanostructured ZnO, ZnO:In and CuI thin films made by the cheap, affordable, and suitable for mass production SILAR method on thin flexible cheap PET substrates have been proposed as a new material for UV-shielding applications. In accordance with an international standard ISO 2443:2012(E), UV-protection ability of the samples consisting of the PET substrates and the films deposited on them by the SILAR method fits the category “excellent” (50+). The best low cost flexible and lightweight UV shielding material turned out to be that consisted from ZnO:In film and PET substrate, the sun protection factor of which equals 157.

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