The role of UV absorber UV-1 in electric vehicle charging facilities

1. Introduction: Why is the ultraviolet absorber UV-1 so important?

In this era of rapid technological change, electric vehicles (EVs) have become the pioneer of the global green energy revolution. From Tesla to BYD, from NIO to Xiaopeng, major brands are rushing to launch electric cars with excellent performance, bringing earth-shaking changes to human travel methods. However, just as a precision machine requires countless parts to work together, the success of an electric vehicle cannot be separated from a key link – charging facilities. These seemingly inconspicuous charging piles not only carry the heavy responsibility of “recharge” the vehicles, but also are an important part of the entire new energy ecosystem.

However, have you ever thought that these charging facilities exposed to outdoor environments have to withstand the test of wind, rain and scorching sun every day? Especially in areas with strong sunlight, the damage caused by ultraviolet rays to the plastic shells, cable insulation layers, and display screens of charging equipment cannot be ignored. If exposed to ultraviolet light for a long time, these materials may age, discolor or even crack, which seriously affects the service life and appearance quality of the equipment. At this time, the ultraviolet absorber UV-1 became the “behind the scenes” to save these charging facilities.

So, what exactly is UV absorber UV-1? What role does it play in an electric vehicle charging facility? This article will take you into the deep understanding of this mysterious chemical and explore how it provides comprehensive protection for charging facilities through its own characteristics. We will analyze it from multiple angles such as its basic principles, product parameters, practical application cases, etc., and at the same time, combined with the research results of relevant domestic and foreign literature, we will present you a complete picture of the ultraviolet absorber UV-1.

Whether you are an ordinary reader interested in new energy technology or a professional in related industries, this article will provide you with rich knowledge and practical insights. Let’s unveil the veil of UV absorber UV-1 and explore how it can safeguard electric vehicle charging facilities!

2. Basic principles and characteristics of UV absorber UV-1

(I) The hazards of ultraviolet rays and their protection needs

In nature, ultraviolet rays (UV) are electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, mainly divided into UVA (320-400nm), UVB (280-320nm) and UVC (100-280nm). Although UVC is usually absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere and will not reach the ground, UVA and UVB can easily penetrate the atmosphere and have a profound impact on objects on Earth. For electric vehicle charging facilities, the harms brought by these ultraviolet rays mainly include the following points:

Material Aging: UV rays can destroy chemical bonds in polymer materials.This leads to the gradual loss of flexibility of plastic shells, cable insulation layers and other polymer materials, and eventually problems such as embrittlement and cracking occur.
Color fade: UV irradiation will decompose dyes or pigments, making the color on the surface of the equipment dull, seriously affecting the appearance quality.
Function degradation: Some electronic components and display screens may have deteriorated performance or even fail completely due to the influence of ultraviolet rays.

To address these problems, scientists have developed a series of ultraviolet protection technologies, among which the ultraviolet absorber UV-1 stands out for its high efficiency and economics, becoming the preferred solution in the industry.

(II) Working mechanism of UV absorber UV-1

UV absorber UV-1 is an organic compound whose main components are usually benzotriazoles or hydroxybenzophenones. Its core function is to absorb the energy of ultraviolet rays and convert them into heat energy to release them, thereby preventing the ultraviolet rays from directly acting on the surface of the material. Specifically, the working mechanism of UV-1 can be divided into the following steps:

Absorbing UV light: Specific functional groups in UV-1 molecules are able to selectively absorb ultraviolet energy in the wavelength range.
Energy Conversion: The absorbed ultraviolet energy will be quickly converted into harmless heat energy and emitted into the environment.
Stable material structure: By preventing the damage of ultraviolet rays to the polymer chain, UV-1 effectively delays the aging process of the material.

This “interception-conversion-protection” mechanism allows UV-1 to provide it with a lasting protective effect without affecting the original performance of the material.

(III) Main characteristics of UV absorber UV-1

Features	Description
Efficient absorption	Can absorb more than 95% of ultraviolet energy, covering the UVA and UVB bands
Chemical Stability	Stabilize under high temperature and light conditions, and is not easy to decompose or evaporate
Good compatibility	It can be well compatible with a variety of polymer materials and is suitable for different types of plastics and rubbers
Do not affect transparency	When adding it, it will not significantly reduce the materialThe light transmittance of the material is particularly suitable for transparent parts
Low toxicity and environmental protection	Complied with international environmental standards and is harmless to the human body and the environment

These characteristics make UV-1 an ideal ultraviolet protection additive, widely used in the automotive industry, construction fields, and electronic products industries.

(IV) Current status of domestic and foreign research

In recent years, with the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, domestic and foreign scholars have also been studying the ultraviolet absorber UV-1 in depth. For example, a study by the University of Michigan in the United States showed that after 1,000 hours of ultraviolet radiation, the tensile strength of polycarbonate materials with appropriate amounts of UV-1 decreased by only 5%, much lower than that of the control group without UV-1 (about 30%). In China, the research team at Tsinghua University found that when UV-1 is combined with antioxidants, it can further improve the weather resistance of the material and extend its service life.

In addition, an experiment by BASF in Germany showed that UV-1 can not only protect the material itself, but also indirectly improve the appearance quality of the product. By simulating tests in real-life use environments, the researchers found that the shell of the charging facility with UV-1 added always maintained a bright color for two years, while samples without UV-1 added showed obvious fading.

To sum up, UV absorber UV-1 plays an important role in the protection of electric vehicle charging facilities due to its unique chemical structure and excellent performance. Next, we will further explore the specific performance of UV-1 in practical applications.

3. Application of UV absorber UV-1 in electric vehicle charging facilities

(I) Overview of application scenarios

Electric vehicle charging facilities usually include charging piles, charging guns, cables, and supporting control panels. Most of these devices are installed in outdoor environments and are exposed to challenges under natural conditions for a long time, such as extreme temperature changes, humidity fluctuations, and important UV radiation. UV absorber UV-1 is the key to playing its unique role in this complex environment.

The following are some typical application scenarios of UV-1 in electric vehicle charging facilities:

Charging pile shell: The shell of the charging pile is mostly made of engineering plastics such as ABS, PC or PMMA, and these materials are prone to degradation under the action of ultraviolet rays. By adding UV-1 during the production process, the anti-aging ability of the shell can be significantly improved, making it more durable.
Cable Sheath: The outer sheath of the charging cable is usually composed of PVC or TPE material,Some materials may harden or even crack under long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays, causing safety hazards. The addition of UV-1 helps maintain the flexibility and integrity of the sheath.
Display and Touch Screen: Modern charging piles are generally equipped with LED displays or touch panels, and these optical components are very sensitive to ultraviolet rays. UV-1 can protect the screen from UV damage through coating or doping, ensuring its clarity and sensitivity.

(II) Product parameters and technical indicators

parameter name	Specific value or range	Remarks
Chemical Components	Benzotriazoles or hydroxybenzophenone compounds	There may be slightly different depending on the specific model
Absorption wavelength range	280-400nm	Cover the UVA and UVB bands
Concentration of use	0.1%-1.0% by weight	Depending on the material type and application scenario
Thermal Stability	>250°C	Ensure that there is no decomposition during processing
Solution	Slightly soluble in water, easily soluble in organic solvents	Easy to mix with other materials
Antioxidation properties	Advance by 50%-70%	It is better to use with antioxidants

(III) Actual case analysis

Case 1: Weather resistance test of a well-known brand charging pile

A well-known charging pile manufacturer introduced UV-1 in its new product and conducted a one-year outdoor weather resistance test. The results showed that after more than 2,000 hours of ultraviolet irradiation, the shell surface remained smooth and smooth, and the color was as bright as before; while the control group without UV-1 was significantly pulverized and faded. In addition, the test also found that the addition of UV-1 did not have any negative impact on the mechanical properties of the material (such as hardness, impact strength).

Case 2: Aging test of charging cable

A company focusing on electric vehicle charging equipmentWhen developing a new charging cable, try to incorporate the UV-1 into the sheathing material. After accelerated aging testing (simulating five years of outdoor use), the cable’s sheath remains well elastic and has no cracks or damage. In contrast, traditional cables no longer work properly under the same conditions. This result fully demonstrates the significant advantages of UV-1 in improving cable durability.

(IV) Economic and social benefits

Although the initial cost of UV absorber UV-1 is slightly higher than that of ordinary additives, its use can significantly reduce maintenance costs and replacement frequency in the long run, bringing considerable economic benefits to the enterprise. At the same time, since UV-1 can extend the service life of charging facilities and reduce resource waste, it also has important environmental significance and social value.

IV. Future development and challenges of UV-1 UV absorber

As the global focus on sustainable development and environmental protection continues to increase, the technology of the UV absorber UV-1 is also improving. The future development direction mainly includes the following aspects:

Improve efficiency: By optimizing molecular structure, the ultraviolet absorption capacity and stability of UV-1 are further enhanced.
Wind-out the scope of application: In addition to electric vehicle charging facilities, UV-1 is expected to find more use in the fields of photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, etc.
Green and Environmentally friendly: Develop biodegradable or recyclable UV-1 alternatives to meet increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements.

Of course, UV-1 applications also face some challenges, such as how to balance costs and performance, how to ensure its reliability under extreme conditions, etc. But I believe that with the continuous advancement of science and technology, these problems will eventually be solved.

5. Conclusion: Little UV-1, the big guardian

Reviewing the full text, we can see that although the ultraviolet absorber UV-1 is inconspicuous, it is an indispensable part of the charging facilities of electric vehicles. It is like a silently dedicated guard, protecting the safety and beauty of these high-tech equipment in its own way. Whether it is resisting ultraviolet erosion or improving the weather resistance of the material, UV-1 has shown outstanding capabilities.

As an old saying goes, “Details determine success or failure.” In the tide of the new energy era, it is precisely because of the heroes behind the scenes like the UV-1 that we can enjoy a more convenient and reliable electric vehicle life. Let us pay our highest respect to this “invisible hero”!