Work

Engineering nanoscale roughness on hydrophobic surface—preliminary assessment of fouling behaviour

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: A preliminary investigation of the fouling behaviour of smooth and roughened superhydrophobic coatings is reported. The effect of nanoscale interfacial roughness on the adhesion of single (SW8) and mixed cultures of micro-foulant for periods of up to 6 months was assessed using visual and wettability measurements. Detailed analysis indicated virtually no micro-organism attached to the superhydrophobic surfaces in the first weeks of immersion. As a result by comparison with smooth substrates, whichexhibited fouling within a day, very rough (roughness ratio <2.7) surfaces exhibited high resistance to fouling over a 6-month period. However, after periods exceeding 2 months under ocean conditions, both films showed limited anti-fouling properties. There appears to be a correlation between the nature of the nanoscale roughness in the creation of superhydrophobic coatings and their potential anti-fouling properties. The future architecture of such a correlation is investigated.

Source: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.stam.2005.03.003

Authors: H. Zhang, R. Lamb, J. Lewis

Institutions: UNSW Sydney, Defence Science and Technology Group

Language: English

Topic: Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,134

Funder: University of New South Wales