An Important Factor Affecting the UV Aging Resistance of PBO Fiber Foped with Nano-TiO(2): The Number of Amorphous Regions

Modified nano-TiO(2) was prepared by using triethanolamine and tetraisopropyl di (dioctylphosphate) titanate, respectively. Then the poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers doped with different additions of modified nano-TiO(2) particles were prepared by preparing PBO polymer solution and dry-jet wet spinning technique. Thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetry results showed that the addition of nano-TiO(2) could improve the crystallinity and maximum thermal decomposition rate temperature of PBO fibers. Tensile strength results showed that nano-TiO(2) addition did not affect the tensile properties of PBO fibers before ultraviolet (UV) aging began, and nano-TiO(2) with addition values lower than 3% could improve the UV aging resistance performance of PBO fibers, while the aging resistance would be seriously reduced if values were over 5%. The size and quantity of the amorphous regions have a more important influence on the aging resistance of PBO fibers.