Fullerene C60/Eucommia ulmoides rubber nanocomposite films with excellent UV-blocking performance for controlling wheat scab fungus

It is significant to develop biodegradable and functional claddings instead of plastic covers providing an environmental-friendly solution for wheat scab fungus control in agriculture. Herein, the nanocomposite films were prepared by adding different amounts of fullerene C-60 into the Eucommia ulmoides rubber (EUR) matrix under ultrasonic-assisted treatment. These nanocomposite films were characterized by using AFM, Raman, XPS, UV and XRD, and their thermal stability, mechanical properties, WVP, EM wave absorption, and inhibition effect on Fusarium graminearum in vitro as well as in wheat seeds were also investigated in detail. The results showed the incorporation of C-60 effectively enhanced the crystallinity, melting and mechanical properties. More importantly, C-60 could endow the nanocomposite films excellent UV-blocking performance, 100 % of the UV spectrum was shielded. Interestingly, it was found photoselective inhibition of F. graminearum by UV-blocking using C-60/EUR nanocmoposite films. Especially, 2 % C-60/EUR nanocomposite film displayed excellent incidence rate control for 10 days.

Automated summary

Nanocomposite films prepared by adding fullerene C-60 into Eucommia ulmoides rubber showed enhanced crystallinity, mechanical properties, and UV-blocking performance, exhibiting a great potential for controlling wheat scab fungus.