Mitigating Lead Pollution in Marine Ecosystems: Nano-Silica-Reinforced Epoxy Coating for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of Fishing Sinkers

Abstract

Lead sinkers are a popular choice among fishers due to their affordability, ease of manufacture, density, and chemical stability. However, their widespread use has contributed to environmental pollution, particularly in marine ecosystems, resulting from leaching, abrasion, and degradation. The present study aims to address lead contamination from fishing sinkers in the marine environment by utilizing nano silicon dioxide-reinforced bisphenol. A epoxy polymeric coating on the lead and assessing the coating’s resistance to corrosion. The reinforcement of SiO2 was confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR, demonstrating the SiO2 interacting with the benzene moiety of the bisphenol A epoxy resin. The SiO2 was uniformly distributed in the epoxy resin, resulting in a pore free and a smoother surface. Electrochemical evaluation showed that 0.5% SiO2 reinforcement in epoxy resin was optimal for enhancing corrosion inhibition. The abrasion resistance of lead coated with nano SiO2 epoxy resin exhibited efficiencies of 50.18% and 88.71%, respectively, with SiO2-epoxy coating thicknesses of 0.011 mm and 0.033 mm, compared to the untreated control. The potential impact of these results on the marine environment could be significant, as they may provide a more environmentally friendly and economical option for fishers who rely on lead sinkers.