In Situ Fabrication of One‐Dimensional‐Based Lotus‐Like Silicone/ϒ–Al₂O₃ Nanocomposites for Marine Fouling Release Coatings

Abstract

Prohibition on the utilization of organotins compounds in antifouling (AF), and Fouling release (FR) paints have attracted considerable ineptest as an environmentally friendly alternative. In this work, an ecofriendly series of lotus‐like nano‐structured organic‐inorganic surfaces based on vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/ϒ‐Al2O3 nanorods composites were successfully modeled for the first time via in‐situ technique. The tailored nanocomposites were cured via hydrosilation mechanism and applied for marine FR coatings. Incorporation of various concentrations of controlled 1D nanofillers was inevitable to study the structure property relationship. Mechanical tests, durability parameters, and the FR and biological inertness were assessed. The results confirmed that uniform distribution of the prepared ϒ‐Al2O3 nanorods dramatically improved their water repellency, homogenous topology, self‐cleaning and fouling repellency. With nanofiller insertion up to 0.5% nanofillers, a particular increase in the contact angle (CA), decrease in the surface free energy (SFE), and topological homogeneity was observed with improving phsico‐mechanical, and durability against UV properties. The biological assessments indicated excellent inhibition and superior AF potential of the 0.5% nanofiller composite coatings. Our finding introduces attractive merits such as simplicity, ecofriendly, economic feasibility, and potential application in marine FR nano‐coatings.

Fabrication Techniques of Superhydrophobic Coatings: A Comprehensive Review

“…Further increasing in nanofiller concentration 0.7% and 1% results in the decrement in CA, i.e., 143° ± 2° and 122° ± 2°, respectively. [ 18 ] Author anchored the surface of alumina nanorod by using the treatment of graphene oxide and prepares the hybrid GO‐γ‐Al 2 O 3 nanorod (average diameter 30–40 nm). Up to the 1 wt% of nanofiller gives the good dispersion in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix and maximum contact angle 151° with decrease in surface free energy up to 13.25.…”

Flexible and Strong Robust Superhydrophobic Monoliths with Antibacterial Property

“…At present, the concept of using super­hydro­phobicity to prevent bacterial growth is a direction for designing antibacterial surfaces. , Superhydrophobicity can reduce the adhesion of bacteria to the solid surface, allowing bacteria to be easily removed before a biofilm forms on the surface . Many researchers have shown that super­hydro­phobic surfaces display excellent antibacterial adhesion properties. − El-Safty et al prepared a series of super­hydro­phobic surface coatings for marine antifouling. − Zhang et al prepared a super­hydro­phobic surface containing a bimetallic composition (Cu/Ag) that exhibited certain antibacterial activity using a galvanic replacement approach followed by a thermal oxidation process …”

Transparent and Self‐Cleaning Surfaces Based on Nanocomposite Sol‐Gel Coatings

“…Superhydrophobic surfaces can be produced via two strategies: (1) designing ultra-smooth surfaces; and (2) modifying rough surfaces, both based on low-surface-energy materials. [2,3,[3][4][5]5,6] Superhydrophilic surfaces can be referred to those textured and/or structured materials having a surface roughness factor (as defined in the Wenzel equation) greater than one, r > 1, on which water spreads completely and then form water across layer i. e. water would lie on such a surface as a flat film rather than in form of droplets, and hence the dirt, dust and other staining materials on the surface can be readily washed away with this super-spreading water layer. [7] The wettability of such surface is dependent on its surface free energy and surface geometrical structure.…”