Abstract
Surfaces are often coated with paint for improved aesthetics and protection; however, additional functionalities that impart continuous self-decontaminating and self-cleaning properties would be extremely advantageous. In this report, photochemical additives based on C60 fullerene were incorporated into polyurethane coatings to investigate their coating compatibility and ability to impart chemical decontaminating capability to the coating surface. C60 exhibits unique photophysical properties, including the capability to generate singlet oxygen upon exposure to visible light; however, C60 fullerene exhibits poor solubility in solvents commonly employed in coating applications. A modified C60 containing a hydrophilic moiety was synthesized to improve polyurethane compatibility and facilitate segregation to the polymer–air interface. Bulk properties of the polyurethane films were analyzed to investigate additive–coating compatibility. Coatings containing photoactive additives were subjected to self-decontamination challenges against representative chemical contaminants and the effects of additive loading concentration, light exposure, and time on chemical decontamination are reported. Covalent attachment of an ethylene glycol tail to C60 improved its solubility and dispersion in a hydrophobic polyurethane matrix. Decomposition products resulting from oxidation were observed in addition to a direct correlation between additive loading concentration and decomposition of surface-residing contaminants. The degradation pathways deduced from contaminant challenge byproduct analyses are detailed.
Highlights
Chemical toxicants such as pesticides and toxic industrial chemicals have the potential to contaminate material surfaces for extended periods of time
Several insights were gained upon the incorporation of C60 and EO3–C60 into Tecoflex films
C60 loading concentrations provide evidence of C60 aggregation in Tecoflex films. No such evidence was observed to indicate that EO3–C60 was aggregating in Tecoflex films
Summary
Chemical toxicants such as pesticides and toxic industrial chemicals have the potential to contaminate material surfaces for extended periods of time. The hypothesis proposed is that the fullerene contained in the coating produces singlet oxygen from the atmosphere by the aforementioned mechanism and subsequently reacts with undesired contamination analytes that are present on the surface. If such analytes are hazardous, such as the case of pesticides or chemical warfare agents, the action of the additive in the coating should reduce the hazard and subsequently present a surface free from contamination
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