Exploring the antifouling performance of non-bactericidal and bactericidal film for combating marine biofouling

Abstract

BackgroundMarine biofouling has done great economic damage to people every year, and it seriously affects the development of national economy. MethodsIn this paper, three types of antifouling films were prepared, including pristine silicon rubber (PSR), graphene added silicon rubber (GSR), and GSR filled with quaternary ammonium salt of different concentrations (QGSR). These antifouling films have strong salt resistance ability, and their surface free energy is in the range of 19.3078 mJ/m2–21.4384 mJ/m2, which is calculated by contact angle. Based on Baier curve, the surface free energy in this zone is benefit to fouling-release. Then, the antifouling ability were explored under both laboratory conditions and real marine environments. Significant FindingsResults showed that the bactericidal film of QGSR have antiadhesion effect under laboratory conditions, but the antiadhesion effect is not durable, and it lose antifouling effects completely in real marine conditions. However, the non-bactericidal film of GSR exhibited stronger antifouling ability than QGSR after immersed in marine environment for 9 months. Therefore, the physical interaction to expel bacteria is more conducive to long-term antifouling in the complex marine environment.