Improving the UV Resistance and Service Life of Polystyrene-Based Building Materials via Low-Concentration Metal Complex Modifiers

Authors

• Dina S. Ahmed, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Industries Engineering Techniques, Polytechnic College of Engineering Specializations – Baghdad, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Marwa Fadhil, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Raghda Alsayed, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Mohammed Kadhom, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Karkh University of Science, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Muna Bufaroosha, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesFollow
• Amani Husain, Polymer Research Unit, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Thura Alyasiri, Polymer Research Unit, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Hanan Ibraheem, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Alaa A. Rashad, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Bassam M. Abood, Chemical and Petrochemical Research Center, Corporation of Research and Industrial Development, Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Baghdad, Iraq
• Riyadh Noaman, Chemical and Petrochemical Research Center, Corporation of Research and Industrial Development, Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Baghdad, Iraq
• Ahmed Ahmed, College of Nursing, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Ruqaya Raad, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Karkh University of Science, Baghdad, Iraq
• Ala'a Shaker, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Abeer Erfan, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Hassan Hashim, Department of Physics, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Saba Hamza, Department of Physics, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
• Rahimi M. Yusop, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
• Emad Yousif, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IraqFollow

Abstract

PS is highly susceptible to UV-induced photodegradation, which results in deterioration of its mechanical and aesthetic properties. In the present study, four novel and highly aromatic levofloxacin metal complexes, synthesized from Zn, Sn, Cu, and Ni, were investigated as low-concentration (0.5% w/w) photostabilizer additives for PS. Composite films were prepared by solution casting and subjected to accelerated UV irradiation up to 300 hours. Photostabilizing performance was systematically followed by monitoring changes in the carbonyl index via FT-IR spectroscopy, mass loss measurements, and surface morphology analyses using SEM and AFM. Results showed that all levofloxacin metal complexes had a pronounced inhibition effect on the photodegradation of PS. The additives efficiently suppressed the generation of carbonyl groups, reduced the mass loss, and significantly minimized surface roughness and cracking in the case of pure PS films. This stabilization is considered to be dependent on the aromaticity of the complexes and their heteroatom content, most probably as a result of UV absorption and radical scavenging mechanisms. In this paper, novel levofloxacin metal complexes were established as efficient and promising photostabilizing additives that enhance the durability of polystyrene under UV exposure.

Recommended Citation

Ahmed, Dina S.; Fadhil, Marwa; Alsayed, Raghda; Kadhom, Mohammed; Bufaroosha, Muna; Husain, Amani; Alyasiri, Thura; Ibraheem, Hanan; Rashad, Alaa A.; Abood, Bassam M.; Noaman, Riyadh; Ahmed, Ahmed; Raad, Ruqaya; Shaker, Ala'a; Erfan, Abeer; Hashim, Hassan; Hamza, Saba; Yusop, Rahimi M.; and Yousif, Emad (2026) "Improving the UV Resistance and Service Life of Polystyrene-Based Building Materials via Low-Concentration Metal Complex Modifiers," AUIQ Technical Engineering Science: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70645/3078-3437.1057