Hydrophobic polydopamine nanoparticles filled poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) composites with improved dispersion for UV-shielding

Abstract Hydrophobic polydopamine (HPDA) nanoparticles were prepared by surface modification of polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles to improve their dispersion in hydrophobic polymer matrix. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/HPDA with well dispersed HPDA nanoparticles were prepared through solution coagulation. The mechanical properties of PBAT were reinforced efficiently with Young's modulus improved by more than twice at loading of 5 wt %. PBAT/HPDA composite films exhibited excellent UV-shielding performance even with only 0.5 wt % HPDA loading.