Tunable Superhydrophobic Aluminum Surfaces with Anti-Biofouling and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Surfaces in a hygiene critical environment can become potential reservoirs for transmission of pathogenic infections. Engineering surfaces with the tunable anti-biofouling and antibacterial properties could reduce infections particularly in hospitals and public transport hubs. In the present work, a facile two-step process has been deployed to fabricate a superhydrophobic and antibacterial aluminum surface by chemical etching, followed by passivation with low surface energy octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) molecules. The wettability and antibacterial properties of the OTES passivated aluminum was monotonically tuned by adding quaternary ammonium (QUATs) molecules. An anti-biofouling property of 99.9% against Staphylococcus aureus, 99% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 99% against E. coli bacteria, was achieved.

Recent Advances in Antibacterial Superhydrophobic Coatings

“…They demonstrated that durable antibacterial superhydrophobic fabric showed widely application prospects in self‐cleaning and antibacterial clothing. Agbe and Sarkar [ 124 ] fabricated antibacterial superhydrophobic coatings by chemical etching and modification with low surface energy octyltriethoxysilane molecules. The wettability and antibacterial properties were monotonically tuned by adding quaternary ammonium molecules.…”

“…It was considered that the F/Q-MSNs cotton fabrics were prospective for Reproduced with permission. [124] Copyright 2020, MDPI.…”

“…coli on OTES/Al, OTES-QUATs/Al, QUATs/Al, and etched Al substrate. Reproduced with permission [124]. Copyright 2020, MDPI.…”

Rapid antibacterial activity of anodized aluminum-based materials impregnated with quaternary ammonium compounds for high-touch surfaces to limit transmission of pathogenic bacteria

“…[18][19][20][21] Another strategy consists in applying specic coatings to acquire antibacterial surface properties (superhydrophobicity, nanostructuring) or to incorporate into the material a wide variety of known antibacterial compounds (copper, silver, quaternary ammoniums compounds (QACs), etc.). 10,12,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28] QACs are antimicrobial agents effective against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as several enveloped viruses, and they are widely used in cleaning products. 29,30 The persistence of their antibacterial property over time and over a wide pH range, their odorless and amphiphilic properties, as well as the low cost of commercial grade QACs make them very good candidates for manufacturing biocidal surfaces.…”

Investigation of the Effects of Component Ratios on the Properties of Superhydrophobic Polyurethane/Fluorinated Acrylic Co-Polymer/SiO2 Nanocomposite Coatings

“…Inspired by the unique water repelling nature of lotus leaves, superhydrophobic surfaces have been extensively explored for various potential applications, such as anti-fogging, antiicing, anti-corrosion, oil/water separation, self-cleaning and anti-contamination, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Superhydrophobic surface has a water contact angle (WCA) higher than 150 • and a water rolling angle less than 10 • .…”