Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights

Yang Wang; Wen-Qing He; Su-Nan Tian; Yue Wang; Run-Hao Bai; Aurore Eichel; Qiuyun Liu; Jia-Lei Liu; Cai-Bin Li; He-Qing Cai; Zhi-Chao Zhen; Qi Liu

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights

Yang Wang
, Wen-Qing He
, Su-Nan Tian
, Yue Wang
, Run-Hao Bai
, Aurore Eichel
, Qiuyun Liu
, Jia-Lei Liu
, Cai-Bin Li
, He-Qing Cai
, Zhi-Chao Zhen
, Qi Liu

BioComposites

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
IMDEA Materials Institute
University of Liege
Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The application of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable plastics has long been constrained by insufficient
light aging resistance. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs), known as eco-friendly additives, can scavenge free radicals to enhance polymer
durability. However, rough choices have resulted in wastage of resources and environmental pressure. Based on the application of plastic films as
the background for use, this study systematically evaluates application effects of five HALSs. The films underwent accelerated aging for various
durations and were further investigated by a combination of experiments and molecular simulation. Results showed that all HALSs mitigated
PBAT light aging, with Chimassorb-944 (UV-944) and Tinuvin-770 (UV-770) performing the best for real applications. Quantum chemical calcula
tion results showed that UV-944 had stronger anti migration ability. After 300 h of aging, films with UV-944 and UV-770 retained superior tensile
strength and elongation at break in the transverse direction compared to neat PBAT films. Polymeric HALSs provided better long-term stability
than small-molecule ones. Further spectra analysis indicated that stronger C―O bonds in HALS/PBAT composites correlated with improved pho
tostability. This study offers valuable insights into improving weather resistance of PBAT biodegradable films and optimizing the real application
of HALSs.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1046–1058
Number of pages	13
Journal	Chinese Journal of POLYMER SCIENCE
Volume	44
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4
Publication status	Published - 11 Mar 2026

Keywords

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate); Hindered amine light stabilizers; Accelerated aging; Light aging resistance; Mechanism

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10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

Cite this

Wang, Y., He, W.-Q., Tian, S.-N., Wang, Y., Bai, R.-H., Eichel, A., Liu, Q., Liu, J.-L., Li, C.-B., Cai, H.-Q., Zhen, Z.-C., & Liu, Q. (2026). Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights. Chinese Journal of POLYMER SCIENCE, 44, 1046–1058 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

@article{8678f8047fa449eb90ede810f818c2cc,

title = "Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights",

abstract = " The application of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable plastics has long been constrained by insufficient light aging resistance. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs), known as eco-friendly additives, can scavenge free radicals to enhance polymer durability. However, rough choices have resulted in wastage of resources and environmental pressure. Based on the application of plastic films as the background for use, this study systematically evaluates application effects of five HALSs. The films underwent accelerated aging for various durations and were further investigated by a combination of experiments and molecular simulation. Results showed that all HALSs mitigated PBAT light aging, with Chimassorb-944 (UV-944) and Tinuvin-770 (UV-770) performing the best for real applications. Quantum chemical calcula tion results showed that UV-944 had stronger anti migration ability. After 300 h of aging, films with UV-944 and UV-770 retained superior tensile strength and elongation at break in the transverse direction compared to neat PBAT films. Polymeric HALSs provided better long-term stability than small-molecule ones. Further spectra analysis indicated that stronger C―O bonds in HALS/PBAT composites correlated with improved pho tostability. This study offers valuable insights into improving weather resistance of PBAT biodegradable films and optimizing the real application of HALSs.",

keywords = "Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate); Hindered amine light stabilizers; Accelerated aging; Light aging resistance; Mechanism",

author = "Yang Wang and Wen-Qing He and Su-Nan Tian and Yue Wang and Run-Hao Bai and Aurore Eichel and Qiuyun Liu and Jia-Lei Liu and Cai-Bin Li and He-Qing Cai and Zhi-Chao Zhen and Qi Liu",

year = "2026",

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doi = "10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4",

language = "English",

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Wang, Y, He, W-Q, Tian, S-N, Wang, Y, Bai, R-H, Eichel, A, Liu, Q, Liu, J-L, Li, C-B, Cai, H-Q, Zhen, Z-C & Liu, Q 2026, 'Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights', Chinese Journal of POLYMER SCIENCE, vol. 44, pp. 1046–1058 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

TY - JOUR

T1 - Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights

AU - Wang, Yang

AU - He, Wen-Qing

AU - Tian, Su-Nan

AU - Wang, Yue

AU - Bai, Run-Hao

AU - Eichel, Aurore

AU - Liu, Qiuyun

AU - Liu, Jia-Lei

AU - Li, Cai-Bin

AU - Cai, He-Qing

AU - Zhen, Zhi-Chao

AU - Liu, Qi

PY - 2026/3/11

Y1 - 2026/3/11

N2 - The application of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable plastics has long been constrained by insufficient light aging resistance. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs), known as eco-friendly additives, can scavenge free radicals to enhance polymer durability. However, rough choices have resulted in wastage of resources and environmental pressure. Based on the application of plastic films as the background for use, this study systematically evaluates application effects of five HALSs. The films underwent accelerated aging for various durations and were further investigated by a combination of experiments and molecular simulation. Results showed that all HALSs mitigated PBAT light aging, with Chimassorb-944 (UV-944) and Tinuvin-770 (UV-770) performing the best for real applications. Quantum chemical calcula tion results showed that UV-944 had stronger anti migration ability. After 300 h of aging, films with UV-944 and UV-770 retained superior tensile strength and elongation at break in the transverse direction compared to neat PBAT films. Polymeric HALSs provided better long-term stability than small-molecule ones. Further spectra analysis indicated that stronger C―O bonds in HALS/PBAT composites correlated with improved pho tostability. This study offers valuable insights into improving weather resistance of PBAT biodegradable films and optimizing the real application of HALSs.

AB - The application of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) biodegradable plastics has long been constrained by insufficient light aging resistance. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs), known as eco-friendly additives, can scavenge free radicals to enhance polymer durability. However, rough choices have resulted in wastage of resources and environmental pressure. Based on the application of plastic films as the background for use, this study systematically evaluates application effects of five HALSs. The films underwent accelerated aging for various durations and were further investigated by a combination of experiments and molecular simulation. Results showed that all HALSs mitigated PBAT light aging, with Chimassorb-944 (UV-944) and Tinuvin-770 (UV-770) performing the best for real applications. Quantum chemical calcula tion results showed that UV-944 had stronger anti migration ability. After 300 h of aging, films with UV-944 and UV-770 retained superior tensile strength and elongation at break in the transverse direction compared to neat PBAT films. Polymeric HALSs provided better long-term stability than small-molecule ones. Further spectra analysis indicated that stronger C―O bonds in HALS/PBAT composites correlated with improved pho tostability. This study offers valuable insights into improving weather resistance of PBAT biodegradable films and optimizing the real application of HALSs.

KW - Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate); Hindered amine light stabilizers; Accelerated aging; Light aging resistance; Mechanism

U2 - 10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

DO - 10.1007/s10118-026-3554-4

M3 - Article

VL - 44

SP - 1046

EP - 1058

JO - Chinese Journal of POLYMER SCIENCE

JF - Chinese Journal of POLYMER SCIENCE

ER -

Photostabilization of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) Films with Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers: Performance Evaluation and Mechanistic Insights

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Keywords

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