Extremely durable biofouling-resistant metallic surfaces based on electrodeposited nanoporous tungstite films on steel

Abstract

Formation of unwanted deposits on steels during their interaction with liquids is an inherent problem that often leads to corrosion, biofouling and results in reduction in durability and function. Here we report a new route to form anti-fouling steel surfaces by electrodeposition of nanoporous tungsten oxide (TO) films. TO-modified steels are as mechanically durable as bare steel and highly tolerant to compressive and tensile stresses due to chemical bonding to the substrate and island-like morphology. When inherently superhydrophilic TO coatings are converted to superhydrophobic, they remain non-wetting even after impingement with yttria-stabilized-zirconia particles, or exposure to ultraviolet light and extreme temperatures. Upon lubrication, these surfaces display omniphobicity against highly contaminating media retaining hitherto unseen mechanical durability. To illustrate the applicability of such a durable coating in biofouling conditions, we modified naval construction steels and surgical instruments and demonstrated significantly reduced marine algal film adhesion, Escherichia coli attachment and blood staining.

Transparent antifouling material for improved operative field visibility in endoscopy

“…However, the requirements to sustain repellency throughout an endoscopic procedure are extremely challenging because (i) direct contact with proteins, cells, and bacteria, as well as the formation of blood clots upon contact with an abiotic surface, compromise the performance of superhydrophobic surfaces (11,12), and (ii) their transparency is not easily achievable. Recently, liquid-infused coatings, consisting of a porous structure infiltrated with a lubricant, have emerged as a new, alternative strategy for repellent materials (11,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). The formation of a stable lubricant overlayer on the surface creates a dynamic slippery barrier that protects the underlying substrate from direct contact with polluted media, thus drastically lowering the adsorption of various serious contaminants including bacteria (18,19) and proteins (20)(21)(22).…”

“…The formation of a stable lubricant overlayer on the surface creates a dynamic slippery barrier that protects the underlying substrate from direct contact with polluted media, thus drastically lowering the adsorption of various serious contaminants including bacteria (18,19) and proteins (20)(21)(22). This new, non-fouling material can be designed to perform under flow (23,24), provide enhanced damage tolerance (15,16) and selfhealing capabilities (11), or be integrated with a vascularized network that secretes the lubricant to repair the interface (25,26).…”

Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surfaces

“…This is because electrodeposition has the merits of low cost, is facile, and is applicable for large-area substrate and industrial production. 13 Electrodeposition has been applied to prepare functional superhydrophobicity on various metal substrates such as on steel, 12,132 iron substrates, 21 magnesium or aluminum alloy, 15,133 copper substrate, 10 and so on. Kim et al fabricated non-wetting metallic surfaces with extremely mechanically durable and biofoulingresistant properties via electrodepositing nanoporous tungsten oxide (TO) on the steel substrate.…”

“…Kim et al fabricated non-wetting metallic surfaces with extremely mechanically durable and biofoulingresistant properties via electrodepositing nanoporous tungsten oxide (TO) on the steel substrate. 12 In this fabrication process, after the nanoporous TO films were deposited on the steel, the modified steel can be still mechanically durable like bare steel and tolerant to tensile stresses because of strong chemical bonding and particular morphology. Because of the inherent hydrophobic TO, it became superhydrophobic after electrodeposition.…”

“…In addition to taking away the contaminants, 28,73,98,114 self-cleaning function also include antibacterial, 18 antifouling property, 12,74 and antiscaling 111 functions. Feng et al investigated the effect of wettability on regulating the bacteria adhesion, which may provide a new insight to create antibacterial materials with extreme wettability.…”