Modified nano-TiO2 was prepared by using triethanolamine and tetraisopropyl di (dioctylphosphate) titanate, respectively. Then the poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers doped with different additions of modified nano-TiO2 particles were prepared by preparing PBO polymer solution and dry-jet wet spinning technique. Thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetry results showed that the addition of nano-TiO2 could improve the crystallinity and maximum thermal decomposition rate temperature of PBO fibers. Tensile strength results showed that nano-TiO2 addition did not affect the tensile properties of PBO fibers before ultraviolet (UV) aging began, and nano-TiO2 with addition values lower than 3% could improve the UV aging resistance performance of PBO fibers, while the aging resistance would be seriously reduced if values were over 5%. The size and quantity of the amorphous regions have a more important influence on the aging resistance of PBO fibers.
Keywords: amorphous region; poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole); titanium dioxide; ultraviolet aging.