The Evolution of Silica Nanoparticle-polyester Coatings on Surfaces Exposed to Sunlight

Vi Khanh Truong, Miljan Stefanovic, Shane Maclaughlin, Mark Tobin, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Mohammad Al Kobaisi, Russell J. Crawford, Elena P. Ivanova

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Corrosion of metallic surfaces is prevalent in the environment and is of great concern in many areas, including the military, transport, aviation, building and food industries, amongst others. Polyester and coatings containing both polyester and silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) have been widely used to protect steel substrata from corrosion. In this study, we utilized X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection infrared micro-spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements, optical profiling and atomic force microscopy to provide an insight into how exposure to sunlight can cause changes in the micro-and nanoscale integrity of the coatings. No significant change in surface microtopography was detected using optical profilometry, however, statistically significant nanoscale changes to the surface were detected using atomic force microscopy. Analysis of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection infrared micro-spectroscopy data revealed that degradation of the ester groups had occurred through exposure to ultraviolet light to form COO·,-H2C·,-O·,-CO· radicals. During the degradation process, CO and CO2 were also produced.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere54309
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Volume2016
Issue number116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Engineering
  • Issue 116
  • Microscale topography
  • Nanoscale topography
  • Nanotechnology
  • Silica nanoparticle-polyester coatings
  • Sunlight exposure
  • Surface chemistry
  • Surface topography

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