High-Performance Sensor Based on Thin-Film Metallic Glass/Ultra-nanocrystalline Diamond/ZnO Nanorod Heterostructures for Detection of Hydrogen Gas at Room Temperature

This article outlines a novel material to enable the detection of hydrogen gas. The material combines thin-film metallic glass (TFMG), ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD), and ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) and can be used as a device for effective hydrogen gas sensing. Three sensors were fabricated by using combinations of pure ZNRs (Z), UNCD/ZNRs (DZ), and TFMG/UNCD/ZNRs (MDZ). The MDZ device exhibited a performance superior to the other configurations, with a sensing response of 34 % under very low hydrogen gas concentrations (10 ppm) at room temperature. Remarkably, the MDZ-based sensor exhibits an ultra-high sensitivity of 60.5 % under 500 ppm H₂. The MDZ sensor proved very fast in terms of response time (20 s) and recovery time (35 s). In terms of selectivity, the sensors were particularly suited to hydrogen gas. The sensor achieved the same response performance even after two months, thereby demonstrating the superior stability. It is postulated that the superior performance of MDZ can be attributed to defect-related adsorption as well as charge carrier density. This paper also discusses the respective energy band models of these heterostructures and also the interface effect on the gas sensing enhancements. The results indicate that the proposed hybrid TFMG/UNCD/ZNRs nanostructures could be utilized as high-performance hydrogen gas sensors.     

Novel Method of Producing Polymer Gels in Aqueous Solution Using UV Irradiation

Summary: We developed a novel method of producing polymer gels in aqueous solution using UV irradiation. Persulfates were effective photosensitive initiators of polymerization and/or gelation of acryloyl‐type monomers/polymers. The gelation was confirmed by an abrupt increase in light scattering intensity, 〈I(q)〉_T, at the gelation point. The gelation method entails significant advantages: it does not need any cross‐linkers, temperature control (heating), and additives except the persulfate.

The UV irradiation time dependence of light scattering intensity, 〈I(q)〉_T, for pre‐gel solutions containing N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and/or ammonium persulfate (APS).     

Poly(thienylene‐vinylene‐thienylene) with cyano substituent: Synthesis and application in field‐effect transistor and polymer solar cell

A novel conjugated polymer, poly(thienylene‐vinylene‐thienylene) with cyano substituent ( CN‐PTVT ) was synthesized via Stille coupling for the application in air stable field‐effect transistor and polymer solar cell. The polymer was characterized by ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, UV‐vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, TGA, cyclic voltammetry and XRD analysis. CN‐PTVT exhibits a good thermal stability with 5% weight loss at 306 °C. The FET hole mobility of the polymer reached 5.9 × 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1 with I_on/I_off ratio of 4.9 × 10⁴, which is one of the highest performance among the air‐stable amorphous polymers. The polymer solar cell based on CN‐PTVT as donor and PCBM as acceptor shows a relatively high open‐circuit voltage of 0.82 V and a power conversion efficiency of 0.3% under the illumination of AM1.5, 100 mW/cm². © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4028–4036, 2009     

Self‐crosslinking borate anions for the production of tough UV‐cured polyelectrolyte surfaces

The first anion with four polymerizable groups has been synthesized and used to produce durable, crosslinked polyelectrolyte (PE) coatings in a single step. Sodium tetrakis(4‐vinylphenyl)borate (NaBSty₄) was produced by the reaction of BCl₃ and the Grignard of 4‐bromostyrene. The full series of borates NaBPh_xSty_4?x, x = 1?3, were also synthesized analogously by reaction of the styryl‐Grignard and PhBCl₂, Ph₂BCl, or Ph₃B. Anion exchange of the borates with tributyl 4‐vinylbenzylphosphonium chloride gave a family of organic salts developed for applications in photopolymerized coatings. The percent UV cure of the polymer films was determined by infrared spectroscopy and this relative level of curing was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The degree of crosslinking imparted to the polymer films by the different monomers has resulted in varied mechanical properties, which were probed by diamond tip scratch tests and nanoindentation. These clearly demonstrated that as the number of polymerizable groups increased, the film hardness increased correspondingly. The final hardness of the films exceeds those of other related systems and identifies styryl borates as viable crosslinking additives in UV curable technologies, especially in the production of durable PE films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

A Chiral Reduced‐Dimension Perovskite for an Efficient Flexible Circularly Polarized Light Photodetector

Chiral quasi‐2D perovskite single crystals (SCs) were investigated for their circular polarized light (CPL) detecting capability. Quasi‐2D chiral perovskites, [(R)‐β‐MPA]₂MAPb₂I₇ ((R)‐β‐MPA=(R)‐(+)‐β‐methylphenethylamine, MA=methylammonium), have intrinsic chirality and the capability to distinguish different polarization states of CPL photons. Corresponding quasi‐2D SCs CPL photodetector exhibit excellent detection performance. In particular, our device responsivity is almost one order of magnitude higher than the reported 2D perovskite CPL detectors to date. The crystallization dynamics of the film were modulated to facilitate its carrier transport. Parallel oriented perovskite films with a homogeneous energy landscape is crucial to maximize the carrier collection efficiency. The photodetector also exhibits superior mechanical flexibility and durability, representing a promising candidate for sensitive and robust CPL photodetectors.     

Photodegradation‐induced photoluminescence behaviors of π‐conjugated polymers upon the doping of organometallic triplet emitters

The different effects on the photodegradation‐induced photoluminescence (PL) of π‐conjugated polymeric thin films upon the doping of Ir(III) containing triplet emitters in ambient conditions at room temperature were investigated. In this study, we prepared spin‐coated thin films using three different polymer matrices including poly(9‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK), poly[9,9‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)fluorene‐2,7‐diyl] (PF2/6), and poly[2‐(5′‐cyano‐5′‐methyl‐hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene] (CNPPP) derivatives doped with Ir(III) containing triplet emitters: Ir(III) bis[(4,6‐fluorophenyl)‐pyridinato‐N,C²′] picolinate (FIrpic), or Ir(III)fac‐tris(2‐phenylpyridine) (Ir(ppy)₃), or Ir(III)bis(2‐(2′‐benzothienyl) pyridinato‐N‐acetylacetonate) (Ir(btp)₂acac). Using the doped films, and their neat films, on quartz substrates, the UV‐Visible absorption (UV‐Vis) and PL spectra were recorded under continuous illumination with the excitation wavelengths at the absorption maxima of the corresponding matrix polymers. The dopant effects on the photodegradation‐induced PL were extracted from the kinetic data obtained from the doped films by subtracting the mutual degradation kinetics of their corresponding neat films. The obtained dopant effects show a strong correlation between the photo‐induced PL degradation and the exciton migration behaviors. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2395–2403, 2008     

Selective Alcohol Oxidation by a Copper TEMPO Catalyst: Mechanistic Insights by Simultaneously Coupled Operando EPR/UV‐Vis/ATR‐IR Spectroscopy

The first coupled operando EPR/UV‐Vis/ATR‐IR spectroscopy setup for mechanistic studies of gas‐liquid phase reactions is presented and exemplarily applied to the well‐known copper/TEMPO‐catalyzed (TEMPO=(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl) oxidation of benzyl alcohol. In contrast to previous proposals, no direct redox reaction between TEMPO and Cu^I/Cu^II has been detected. Instead, the role of TEMPO is postulated to be the stabilization of a (bpy)(NMI)Cu^II‐O₂^??‐TEMPO (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, NMI=N‐methylimidazole) intermediate formed by electron transfer from Cu^I to molecular O₂.     

Atomically Thin Arsenene and Antimonene: Semimetal–Semiconductor and Indirect–Direct Band‐Gap Transitions

The typical two‐dimensional (2D) semiconductors MoS₂, MoSe₂, WS₂, WSe₂ and black phosphorus have garnered tremendous interest for their unique electronic, optical, and chemical properties. However, all 2D semiconductors reported thus far feature band gaps that are smaller than 2.0 eV, which has greatly restricted their applications, especially in optoelectronic devices with photoresponse in the blue and UV range. Novel 2D mono‐elemental semiconductors, namely monolayered arsenene and antimonene, with wide band gaps and high stability were now developed based on first‐principles calculations. Interestingly, although As and Sb are typically semimetals in the bulk, they are transformed into indirect semiconductors with band gaps of 2.49 and 2.28 eV when thinned to one atomic layer. Significantly, under small biaxial strain, these materials were transformed from indirect into direct band‐gap semiconductors. Such dramatic changes in the electronic structure could pave the way for transistors with high on/off ratios, optoelectronic devices working under blue or UV light, and mechanical sensors based on new 2D crystals.     

Enhanced nucleation, smoothness and conformality of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) ultrathin films via tungsten interlayers

Extremely smooth (6 nm RMS roughness over 4 μm²), thin (100 nm), and continuous ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films were synthesized by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition using a 10 nm tungsten (W) interlayer between the silicon substrate and the diamond film. These UNCD films possess a high content of sp³-bonded carbon. The W interlayer significantly increased the initial diamond nucleation density, thereby lowering the surface roughness, eliminating interfacial voids, and allowing thinner UNCD films to be grown. This structural optimization enhances the films’ properties and enables its integration with a wide variety of substrate materials.     

Influence of deposition pressure on hydrogenated amorphous carbon films prepared by d.c.‐pulse plasma chemical vapor deposition

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (a‐C : H) were prepared by d.c.‐pulse plasma chemical vapor deposition using CH₄ and H₂ gases. The microstructure and hardness of the resulting films were investigated at different deposition pressures (6, 8, 11, 15, and 20 Pa). The growth rate increased sharply from 3.2 to 10.3 nm/min with increasing the pressure from 6 to 20 Pa. According to Raman spectra, XPS, and Fourier transform infrared analysis, the films deposited at the pressure of 6 and 8 Pa have high sp³ content and show typical diamond‐like character. However, the microstructures and bond configuration of the films deposited at 11, 15, and 20 Pa have high sp² content and favored fullerene‐like nanostructure. The hardness and sp² content were shown to reach their minimum values simultaneously at a deposition pressure of 8 Pa and then increased continuously. The film with fullerene‐like nanostructure obtained at 20 Pa displays a high Raman I_D/I_G ratio (~1.6), and low XPS C 1s binding energy (284.4 eV). The microstructural analysis indicates that the films are composed of a hard and locally dense fullerene‐like network, i.e. a predominantly sp²‐bonded material. The rigidity of the films is basically provided by a matrix of dispersed cross‐linked sp² sites. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of temperature on the stability of compounds used as UV‐MALDI‐MS matrix: 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone, α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid, 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid,nor‐harmane and harmane

The thermal stability of several commonly used crystalline matrix‐assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV‐MALDI‐MS) matrices, 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid; GA), 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone (THA), α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapinic acid; SA), 9H‐pirido[3,4‐b]indole (nor‐harmane; nor‐Ho), 1‐methyl‐9H‐pirido[3,4‐b]indole (harmane; Ho), perchlorate of nor‐harmanonium ([nor‐Ho + H]⁺) and perchlorate of harmanonium ([Ho + H]⁺) was studied by heating them at their melting point and characterizing the remaining material by using different MS techniques [electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS), ultraviolet laserdesorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UV‐LDI‐TOF‐MS) and electrospray ionization‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF‐MS)] as well as by thin layer chromatography analysis (TLC), electronic spectroscopy (UV‐absorption, fluorescence emission and excitation spectroscopy) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR). In general, all compounds, except for CHC and SA, remained unchanged after fusion. CHC showed loss of CO₂, yielding the trans‐/cis‐4‐hydroxyphenylacrilonitrile mixture. This mixture was unambiguously characterized by MS and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and its sublimation capability was demonstrated. These results explain the well‐known cluster formation, fading (vanishing) and further recovering of CHC when used as a matrix in UV‐MALDI‐MS. Commercial SA (SA 98%; trans‐SA/cis‐SA 5 : 1) showed mainly cis‐ to‐trans thermal isomerization and, with very poor yield, loss of CO₂, yielding (3′,5′‐dimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐ethene as the decarboxilated product. These thermal conversions would not drastically affect its behavior as a UV‐MALDI matrix as happens in the case of CHC. Complementary studies of the photochemical stability of these matrices in solid state were also conducted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the structural parameters of a series of fluoromonoacrylates on the surface properties of cured films

A series of fluorinated acrylates [F(CF₂)_q? (CH₂)_p? OCOCH?CH₂, where q = 8 and p = 2 ÷ 11) were synthesized and used as comonomers in the photopolymerization of acrylic systems. These fluoroacrylates were synthesized in a three‐step procedure through the radical addition of perfluoroalkyliodides to an unsaturated alcohol followed by their acrylation. The mixtures, containing up to 0.8% (w/w) of the comonomers, produced transparent films after UV curing; they showed changes in the surface properties as a function of the comonomer type and concentration. With contact‐angle and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, the relationship between the structure of the monomers and the surface properties of the UV‐cured films was investigated: the wettability decreased, depending on the length of the fluorinated group (q value) and the hydrogenated segment of the monomer (p value). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 4227–4235, 2001     

Electrochemical Fabrication and Properties of Highly Ordered Fe‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes

Highly‐ordered Fe‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂nts) were fabricated by anodization of co‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films in a glycerol electrolyte containing NH₄F. The as‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films correspond to a solid solution of Ti and Fe according to X‐ray diffraction. The Fe‐doped TiO₂nts were studied in terms of composition, morphology and structure. The characterization included scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. As a result of the Fe doping, an indirect bandgap of 3.0 eV was estimated using Tauc’s plot, and this substantial red‐shift extends its photoresponse to visible light. From the Mott–Schottky analysis, the flat‐band potential (E_fb) and the charge carrier concentration (N_D) were determined to be ?0.95 V vs Ag/AgCl and 5.0 ×10¹⁹ cm^?3 respectively for the Fe‐doped TiO₂nts, whilst for the undoped TiO₂nts, E_fb of ?0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl and N_D of 6.5×10¹⁹ cm^?3 were obtained.     

UV‐Irradiation Cured Organic‐inorganic Hybrid Nanocomposite Initiated by Ethoxysilane‐modified Multifunctional Polymeric Photoinitiator through Sol‐gel Process

The UV‐cured organic‐inorganic hybrid nanocomposite (nano‐Si‐m‐PI) was prepared through the photopolymerization of acrylic resin initiated by ethoxysilane‐modified multifunctional oligomeric photoinitiator (Si‐m‐PI). The esterification reaction of 2‐hydroxy‐4′‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐2‐methylpropiophenone (Irgacure 2959) with thioglycolic acid, and the following addition reactions with dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate and then 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane were carried out for preparing the Si‐m‐PI. The Si‐m‐PI exhibits the similar UV absorption and molar extinction coefficient with Irgacure 2959. The photoinitiating activity study by photo‐DSC analysis showed that the Si‐m‐PI possesses high photopolymerization rate at the peak maximum (R_p^max) and final unsaturation conversion (P^f) in the cured hybrid films. From the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, the SiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed uniformly in the formed nano‐Si‐m‐PI, whereas the aggregation of nanoparticals occurred in nano‐Irg, which was prepared through the photopolymerization of acrylic resin initiated by Irgacure 2959. Moreover, compared with the UV‐cured pure polymer and nano‐Irg, the nano‐Si‐m‐PI showed remarkably enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties.     

Fabrication of Chitosan‐Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Containing Ferri/Ferrocyanide: Application for Simultaneous Detection of D‐Penicillamine and Tryptophan

We report a simple and effective strategy for fabrication of the nanocomposite containing chitosan (CS) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The characterization of the modified electrode (CS‐MWNT/GC) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of CS‐MWNT/GC electrode was investigated and compared with the electrochemical behavior of chitosan modified GC (CS/GC), multiwalled carbon nanotube modified GC (MWNT/GC) and unmodified GC using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The chitosan films are electrochemically inactive; similar background charging currents are observed at bare GC. The chitosan films are permeable to anionic Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? (FC) redox couple. Electrochemical parameters, including apparent diffusion coefficient for the Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox probe at FC/CS‐MWNT/GC electrode is comparable to values reported for cast chitosan films. This modified electrode also showed electrocatalytic effect for the simultaneous determination of D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and tryptophan (Trp). The detection limit of 0.9 μM and 4.0 μM for D‐PA and Trp, respectively, makes this nanocomposite very suitable for determination of them with good sensitivity.     

UV cured transparent films including non‐aqueous conductive microgels

UV cured transparent films containing non‐aqueous conductive microgels coated with poly(aniline)/dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid(DBSA) were obtained. The conductive microgels were prepared by interface polymerization of aniline/DBSA in the presence of non‐aqueous polymeric microgels. The electrical conductivity and the particle size of the prepared conductive microgel were 0.5 S/cm and 58 nm, respectively. The prepared conductive microgels were easily blended with a UV curable coating formulation, and then were cured to make highly optically transparent films. For the UV cured film containing about 35 wt% of the conductive microgels, a surface resistance in the range of 10⁷ to 10⁸ Ω/square was obtained. In a polar cosolvent, such as NMP and m‐cresol, the critical volume was shifted to the lower range, with a value of 10 wt%. The UV cured films containing the conductive microgels exhibited good electrical stability against the thermal aging and humidity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and healing properties of poly(arylene ether sulfone)‐poly(alkyl disulfide) multiblock copolymers

A multiblock copolymer consisting of hard (poly(arylene ether sulfone)) and soft (poly(alkyl disulfide)) segments was successfully synthesized by oxidative coupling of the corresponding thiol‐terminated oligomers. Its structure was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The GPC data (M_w = 82,000, M_w/M_n = 2.7) and inherent viscosity (0.67 dL g⁻¹) indicated the formation of a high‐molecular‐weight multiblock copolymer, while AFM and DSC indicated a microphase‐separated morphology. Tensile testing of the multiblock copolymer films showed a large elongation at break, which is characteristic of microphase‐separated hard/soft multiblock copolymers. Over 90% of the elongation at break of damaged samples (notched or cut) was recovered by UV irradiation. The elongation recovery was proportional to the UV irradiation energy, and the high recovery was achieved by relatively weak irradiation (<170 J cm⁻²). The high content of disulfide bonds in the multiblock copolymer resulted in a lower self‐healing energy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1358–1365     

Rigid Bridge-Confined Double-Decker Platinum(II) Complexes Towards High-Performance Red and Near-Infrared Electroluminescence

A molecular design to high-performance red and near-infrared (NIR) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) emitters remains demanding. Herein a series of dinuclear platinum(II) complexes featuring strong intramolecular Pt???Pt and π–π interactions has been developed by using N-deprotonated α-carboline as a bridging ligand. The complexes in doped thin films exhibit efficient red to NIR emission from short-lived (τ=0.9–2.1 μs) triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³MMLCT) excited states. Red OLEDs demonstrate high maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of up to 23.3 % among the best Pt^II-complex-doped devices. The maximum EQE of 15.0 % and radiance of 285 W sr^?1 m^?2 for NIR OLEDs (λ_EL=725 nm) are unprecedented for devices based on discrete molecular emitters. Both red and NIR devices show very small efficiency roll-off at high brightness. Appealing operational lifetimes have also been revealed for the devices. This work sheds light on the potential of intramolecular metallophilicity for long-wavelength molecular emitters and electroluminescence.     

A Compact Tetrathiafulvalene–Benzothiadiazole Dyad and Its Highly Symmetrical Charge‐Transfer Salt: Ordered Donor π‐Stacks Closely Bound to Their Acceptors

A compact and planar donor–acceptor molecule 1 comprising tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and benzothiadiazole (BTD) units has been synthesised and experimentally characterised by structural, optical, and electrochemical methods. Solution‐processed and thermally evaporated thin films of 1 have also been explored as active materials in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). For these devices, hole field‐effect mobilities of μ_FE=(1.3±0.5)×10^?3 and (2.7±0.4)×10^?3 cm² V s^?1 were determined for the solution‐processed and thermally evaporated thin films, respectively. An intense intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) transition at around 495 nm dominates the optical absorption spectrum of the neutral dyad, which also shows a weak emission from its ICT state. The iodine‐induced oxidation of 1 leads to a partially oxidised crystalline charge‐transfer (CT) salt {( 1 )₂I₃}, and eventually also to a fully oxidised compound { 1 I₃} ? 1/2I₂. Single crystals of the former CT compound, exhibiting a highly symmetrical crystal structure, reveal a fairly good room temperature electrical conductivity of the order of 2 S cm^?1. The one‐dimensional spin system bears compactly bonded BTD acceptors (spatial localisation of the LUMO) along its ridge.     

Laccase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Lignin‐Like Oligomers and their Application as UV‐Blocking Materials

The laccase‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization of monomeric and dimeric lignin model compounds was carried out with oxygen as the oxidant in aqueous medium. The oligomers were characterized by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐TOF MS) analysis. Oxidative polymerization led to the formation of oligomeric species with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) that ranged from 700 to 2300 Da with a low polydispersity index. Spectroscopic analysis provided insight into the possible modes of linkages present in the oligomers, and the oligomerization is likely to proceed through the formation of C?C linkages between phenolic aromatic rings. The oligomers were found to show good UV light absorption characteristics with high molar extinction coefficient (5000–38 000 m ^?1 cm^?1) in the UV spectral region. The oligomers were blended independently with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by using solution blending to evaluate the compatibility and UV protection ability of the oligomers. The UV/Vis transmittance spectra of the oligomer‐embedded PVC films indicated that these lignin‐like oligomers possessed a notable ability to block UV light. In particular, oligomers obtained from vanillyl alcohol and the dimeric lignin model were found to show good photostability in accelerated UV weathering experiments. The UV‐blocking characteristics and photostability were finally compared with the commercial low‐molecular‐weight UV stabilizer 2,4‐dihydroxybenzophenone.