Infrared Efficiency and Ultraviolet Management of Red-Pigmented Polymethylmethacrylate Photoselective Greenhouse Films

Abstract

Red-pigmented photoselective polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films were prepared by casting from polymer/chloroform solution. The films were doped with efficient red fluorescent perylene dyes specialized for plastic coloration, namely KREMER 94720 and KREMER 94739, which have excellent weathering stability and a high fluorescence quantum yield. The effect of the doping concentration was studied using the atomic force microscope (AFM), optical transmission, color measurement, time-resolved fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The obtained results suggested the potential usefulness for photoselective greenhouse cladding applications as the lowest doping concentration (10−5 wt%) displaying the UV-open effect, whereas the best UV-blocking and thermic effects were obtained for the highest doping concentration (10−1 wt).