Protecting Surfaces Using One-Dimensional Nanostructures

Ultraviolet waves, because of their short wavelength, have a high energy and considerable damaging effects on surfaces. Protection against ultraviolet radiations is one of the finishing treatments done on surfaces exposed to sunlight. The importance of this issue in relation to human health, due to complications such as skin burns and cancer, is doubled. Up to now, different materials such as zinc oxide, titanium oxide and Aluminum oxide nano-particles have been introduced as the ultraviolet absorbents. In this paper, the absorption of singlewalled carbon nano-tubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) was investigated and compared with common chemical absorbent materials. The results showed that carbon nano-tubes (CNTs), similar to other absorbents, have a specific absorption in this area. In addition, it was observed that the absorption of SWCNTs is comparable with other absorbents, and CNTs could be introduced as good substitutes for ultraviolet absorbents in various applications.