Study on the UV aging resistance of ZnO-modified epoxy resin by experiments and MD simulation

This study investigates the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on epoxy resin systems and the ultraviolet (UV) aging resistance of modified epoxy resin composites using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimental methods. Initially, various epoxy resin cross-linking models are established through MD simulations to understand the influence of different nano ZnO contents on resin modification, further validated by experiments. Subsequently, the UV radiation resistance of nano ZnO-epoxy resin composites is assessed by subjecting them to high-intensity UV radiation equivalent to 3 years of natural environmental conditions, analyzing changes in tensile properties, impact performance, hardness, and glass transition temperature of epoxy resin before and after UV radiation exposure. The findings suggest that the addition of nano zinc oxide reduces the impact of UV radiation on epoxy resin, with optimal UV radiation resistance observed at a nano zinc oxide mass fraction of 0.3 wt%.