photodegradation
Sun-caused material breakdown
Photodegradation is the breakdown of materials by light, especially ultraviolet radiation.
Plastics left in sunlight become brittle through photodegradation.
Paint fades, polymers crack, and organic compounds decompose when exposed to prolonged light.
The term appears in discussions of environmental pollution, material science, and product durability: The packaging was designed to resist photodegradation.
Molecule's tint-causing portion
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- photolysisMolecular breakdown via light
- carbonylC=O functional group
spectroscopy · irradiation · photochemical · kinetics · intermediate · byproduct
Becoming pale gold-brown
- embrittlementMaterial losing flexibility, gaining fragility
- chalkingApplying calcium carbite stick
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- additiveSubstance mixed in
antioxidant · weathering · discoloration · polyethylene · PVC · polypropylene · nylon · rubber
Resistance to wear
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- coatingApplied surface covering
- paintColored coating substance
- textileMaterial from woven fibers
fiber · film · specimen · formulation
Light-activated reaction acceleration
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- contaminantSubstance that pollutes
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- pharmaceuticalManufactured medicinal compound
mineralization · semiconductor · nanoparticle · detoxification · decomposition
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- litterScattered waste or debris
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- landfillWaste burial ground
ecosystem · bioaccumulation · contamination · nanoplastics · leaching · toxicity · sediment · aquatic
chromophore
Molecule's tint-causing portion
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- photolysisMolecular breakdown via light
carbonyl · spectroscopy · irradiation · photochemical · kinetics · intermediate · byproduct
yellowing
Becoming pale gold-brown
- embrittlementMaterial losing flexibility, gaining fragility
- chalkingApplying calcium carbite stick
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
additive · antioxidant · weathering · discoloration · polyethylene · PVC · polypropylene · nylon · rubber · oxidation
durability
Resistance to wear
textile · fiber · film · specimen · formulation
photocatalysis
Light-activated reaction acceleration
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- contaminantSubstance that pollutes
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
pharmaceutical · mineralization · semiconductor · nanoparticle · detoxification · decomposition
microplastics
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- litterScattered waste or debris
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
landfill · ecosystem · bioaccumulation · contamination · nanoplastics · leaching · toxicity · sediment · aquatic · terrestrial
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- photochemistryphotochemistry, light absorption, photon, photons, fluorescence
- chemical breakdowndecomposition, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, combustion, photolysis
- colorfastnesscolorfastness, lightfastness, crocking, color bleeding, fading
- lab errorscalculation error, measurement error, human error, mislabeling, cross-contamination
- Photocatalysistitanium dioxide, water splitting, zinc oxide