Abstract
Biofouling is a concern in the water industry due to the impact it has on maintainence of system functioning and the cost involved for prevention. Mechanical and chemical methods such as the application of biocides currently used to control biofouling are not always effective. The need for alternative methods for the prevention of biofouling therefore exists. Self-cleaning and antimicrobial surfaces, such as antimicrobial and antifouling coatings, have already shown the potential to control biofouling. A new contribution to this field is the application of nanotechnology in the design and fabrication of coatings. Nanomaterials may prohibit biofouling either by repelling microorganisms through hydrophobic nanostructures or killing of microorganisms in direct contact with surfaces containing nanobiocides. This review focuses on the different approaches and techniques to fabricate antimicrobial polymeric surfaces, the application of specific nanoparticles and nanomaterials, and nanoenabled antimicrobial coatings such as paints.
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