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Polysiloxane Coatings Biodeterioration in Nature and Laboratory
Maxim Danilaev1, Galina Yakovleva2, Sergey Karandashov1
1Department of Electronic and Quantum Means of Information Transmission, Kazan National Research Technical University N.A. A.N. Tupolev-KAI, 420111 Kazan, Russia.
Microorganisms
|August 26, 2022
Summary
A new polysiloxane coating protects organic glass from environmental damage. This protective coating demonstrated excellent resistance to abrasion and transparency, even when exposed to micromycetes in tropical and laboratory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biodeterioration Studies
Background:
- Organic glass objects require protection from environmental factors like light, humidity, temperature, dust, and microorganisms.
- Polysiloxane coatings are commonly used for protection but are also susceptible to degradation.
- Continuous development of novel protective materials is necessary to overcome the limitations of existing coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a new cross-linked polysiloxane coating for enhanced protection of organic glasses.
- To investigate the resistance of the new polysiloxane coating against biodeterioration caused by micromycetes under natural tropical and laboratory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Creation of a novel cross-linked polysiloxane coating.
- Exposure of coated organic glass samples (polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, triplex) to natural tropical environments.
- Laboratory testing involving artificial inoculation with micromycete spores.
- Assessment of coating resistance to abrasion and transparency retention.
Main Results:
- Micromycete fouling, primarily by *Aspergillus* and *Penicillium*, was observed on coating surfaces in tropical conditions.
- These micromycetes produced acids (oxalic, malic, lactic, citric) contributing to biodeterioration.
- Coated samples maintained over 90% abrasion resistance and transparency under aggressive natural conditions.
- Similar micromycete growth and damage trends were observed under artificial laboratory conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed cross-linked polysiloxane coating offers significant protection to organic glasses against aggressive environmental factors, including micromycete-induced biodeterioration.
- The coating exhibits robust performance in maintaining optical and mechanical properties even in challenging tropical climates.
- Both natural and laboratory exposure studies confirm the coating's effectiveness and highlight the biodeterioration mechanisms involved.
