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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
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The Evolution of Silica Nanoparticle-polyester Coatings on Surfaces Exposed to Sunlight
Published on: October 11, 2016
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UV aged epoxy coatings - Ecotoxicological effects and released compounds.
Anna Maria Bell1, Nils Keltsch1, Peter Schweyen1
1Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany.
Water Research X
|June 30, 2021
Summary
UV-A irradiation of epoxy coatings decreases toxicity but forms harmful byproducts. 4tBP drives toxicity and estrogenicity, while BPA and analogs form upon UV exposure, suggesting alternatives are better top coatings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Organic coatings protect steel by forming physical barriers against water and oxygen.
- Epoxy resin-based coatings are widely used for corrosion protection due to favorable mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties.
- Despite their utility, epoxy resins' aromatic backbone makes them susceptible to UV degradation when used in top coating layers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of UV-A irradiation on the toxic effects of epoxy resin-based top coatings.
- To assess changes in bacterial toxicity and estrogenicity of epoxy coatings after UV aging.
- To identify released compounds and photolytic degradation products responsible for toxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Two epoxide-based top coatings were tested for bacterial toxicity and estrogenicity, with and without UV aging.
- Chemical analyses were performed to identify released compounds and photolytic degradation products.
- High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with bioassays and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) were used for effect-directed analysis.
Main Results:
- UV-A irradiation led to a decrease in acute and specific ecotoxicological effects but also produced toxic transformation products.
- 4tBP was identified as the primary driver of estrogenicity and toxicity to luminescent bacteria in both untreated and UV-irradiated coating leachates.
- UV-A irradiation generated Bisphenol A (BPA) and its structural analogs, contributing to estrogenic effects.
Conclusions:
- Epoxy resin-based coatings are less suitable for top coating applications due to UV-induced degradation and formation of toxic compounds.
- UV-A irradiation alters the toxicity profile of epoxy coatings, generating concerning byproducts like BPA.
- UV-stable coatings, such as aliphatic polyurethanes, are recommended as preferable alternatives for top coating applications.
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