Antibacterial Properties of AquaSun Sol–Gel Coating

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity, surface features, wettability, and adhesion of photocatalytic xerogel AquaSun deposited on shipbuilding steel in comparison to those of a commercial antifouling paint are investigated. The antimicrobial activity of AquaSun deposited on a steel substrate pretreated with primer and tiecoat paint exposed to a microbial consortium composed of Bacillus aquimaris and Pseudomonas poae is significant and of broad scope. Taking into account the low cost, high stability, and lack of ecotoxicity of this hybrid sol–gel coating, these results are promising en route to developing novel antibacterial coatings of broad applicability.

Comparative Investigation of AquaSun Eco-Friendly Antifouling Coating via Rheological and Mechanical Characterization

“…Involving rapid microbial surface colonization followed by biofilm development and eventually attachment of large and hard marine organisms, marine biofouling of submerged objects such as boat or ship hulls and pier pylons is a biological colonization process causing significant economic losses worldwide. The new photocatalytic AquaSun coating combines the foul release properties of the organosilica with the photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 and hydroxyl radicals driven by sunlight that prevent microbial colonization and biofilm deposition. , The powerful biocidal hydrogen peroxide generated in situ readily decomposes into O 2 and H 2 O eventually posing no harm to the marine environment …”

“…AquaSun is a new ORMOSIL-based antifouling coating functionalized with flower-like microparticles of visible-light photocatalyst Bi 2 WO 6 , which merges the solar-driven photocatalytic generation of powerful oxidizing species H 2 O 2 and hydroxyl radicals that readily degrade biomolecules and microbiological species, with the FR properties of conventional ORMOSIL xerogels. , Composed of a thin ORMOSIL film encapsulating the aforementioned visible-light photocatalyst, the coating also shows high strength of adhesion to real ship steel substrates and complete lack of ecotoxicity . Recent comparative tests carried out for 3 months, furthermore, unveiled the AF activity of AquaSun even in highly polluted port seawaters for prolonged time under stationary condition of the coated shipbuilding steel substrates …”