Modification of Optical Characteristics of a Polymer Composite Material under Irradiation

Abstract

Polymer composites based on polystyrene and modified SiO₂ are synthesized. Effect of the SiO₂ concentration on the surface (thermostatic) properties of the composites is analyzed. Surfaces of composites with different SiO₂ concentrations are microscopically studied. Minor amounts of spherical agglomerates are obtained at relatively high SiO₂ concentrations, and the size of the agglomerates may amount to 80 μm at a SiO₂ concentration of 30 wt %. Variations in the integral absorbance of solar radiation are studied for the polymer composites irradiated with vacuum-UV radiation at a temperature of 125°C.