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Insight into Degrading Effects of Two Fungi on Polyurethane Coating Failure in a Simulated Atmospheric Environment
Xiangping Hao1,2,3, Kexin Yang1, Dawei Zhang1,2,3
1National Materials Corrosion and Protection Data Center, Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
Abstract:
Two different fungi, Talaromyces funiculosus (T. funiculosus) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium), were collected from the Xishuangbanna atmospheric corrosion site and incubated on a polyurethane (PU) coating at 30 °C for two weeks under 95% relative humidity (RH). The biodegrading effects of these fungi on the coating failure were investigated from aspects of metabolism and electrochemistry. The results showed that T. funiculosus contributed more to the degradation of the PU coating failure than P. chrysosporium, and two factors played dominant roles. First, the weight of the T. funiculosus mycelium was nearly 3 times more than that of P. chrysosporium, indicating there was more substrate mycelium of T. funiculosus deep into the coatings to get more nutrition in atmospheric during colonization. Second, T. funiculosus secreted carboxylic acids, such as citric, propanoic, succinic, and tartaric acids, and accelerated the hydrolysis of the ester and urethane bonds in the PU coatings. As a result, the mycelium of T. funiculosus readily penetrated the interface of the coating and substrate resulting in a rapid proliferation. Thus, the |Z|0.01Hz value of the coating decreased to 5.1 × 104 Ω·cm2 after 14 days of colonization by T. funiculosus while the value remained at 7.2 × 107 Ω·cm2 after colonization by P. chrysosporium. These insights suggest that the biodegradation process in simulated atmospheric environments would provide theoretical guidance and directions for the design of antifungal PU coatings.
Insights
Talaromyces funiculosus fungi degraded polyurethane coatings more effectively than Phanerochaete chrysosporium. This is due to greater mycelial growth and secretion of acids, accelerating coating hydrolysis and failure.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Polyurethane (PU) coatings are susceptible to biodegradation in atmospheric environments.
- Fungal colonization can lead to coating failure, impacting material durability.
- Understanding fungal degradation mechanisms is crucial for developing protective coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biodegradation effects of Talaromyces funiculosus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium on PU coatings.
- To investigate the metabolic and electrochemical aspects of fungal degradation.
- To identify key factors contributing to differential fungal degradation rates.
Main Methods:
- Fungal incubation of PU coatings under controlled temperature (30 °C) and humidity (95% RH).
- Assessment of fungal biomass and mycelial penetration.
- Analysis of secreted metabolites, specifically carboxylic acids.
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate coating integrity.
Main Results:
- Talaromyces funiculosus exhibited significantly higher mycelial weight and deeper penetration into the PU coating compared to P. chrysosporium.
- T. funiculosus secreted carboxylic acids (citric, propanoic, succinic, tartaric) that accelerated the hydrolysis of ester and urethane bonds.
- Electrochemical analysis showed a substantial decrease in coating impedance (|Z|0.01Hz) for T. funiculosus (5.1 × 10^4 Ω·cm²) versus P. chrysosporium (7.2 × 10^7 Ω·cm²) after 14 days.
Conclusions:
- Talaromyces funiculosus is a more potent degrader of PU coatings than Phanerochaete chrysosporium under simulated atmospheric conditions.
- Mycelial colonization depth and acid secretion are critical factors in PU coating biodegradation.
- Findings provide insights for designing enhanced antifungal PU coatings for atmospheric applications.
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