Environment-Friendly Antibiofouling Solution

Figure shows the different materials used, (a) glass slides, (b) filter paper, (c) heavy duty absorbing wipes, (d) Kleenex tissue.


Fouling is the accumulation of bacteria or other microorganisms. It is a problem in a variaty of applications, the clearest example would be in maritime structures like oil rigs and ships. Fouling materials can deteriorate the structure and lead to failure, costing a lot of money in repairs. Biocidal materials like primers and paints are used to prevent fouling, but these paints later leach toxic molecules into the marine environment causing damage to the ecosystem. The focus on superhydrophobic surfaces has increased as it is a much more environment-friendly way to prevent fouling. Hydrophobic surfaces are used as antibacterial, antifogging, anti-icing, and other ways because of its water-repellent properties. Seyed Mohammad Reza Razavi and his team from the University of Illinois came up with a solution using superhydrophobic coating to prevent fouling. The team created superhydrophobic and antibiofouling coatings, adaptable to various surfaces, using fatty acids from cinnamon and myristica. The team used Escherichia coli, to represent Gram-negative bacterium, and Staphylococcus epidermidis as Gram-positive bacterium representative. These bacteria were used to test the attachment of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on treated and untreated surfaces as shown on the image above. The tests showed that coated surfaces had much lower attachment rates of bacteria.