Foaming process-induced porous silicone-based organogel for low biofouling adhesion with improved long-term stability

Abstract

Smart lubricant-infused surfaces (LIS) are expected to bring breakthroughs in anti-fouling materials due to their excellent anti-biofouling performance, but the challenges still remain in developing durable LIS. Herein, the structure of LIS is systematically designed, and realized by an inspiration of foaming process, thereby a large lubricant storage capacity and self-replenishing silicone-based organogel coating with improved long-term stability was prepared. The surface of LIS is constructed of micropores, many independent cavities are built inside, and the bottom is bonded to substrate without defects, which is designed to increase the surface lubricant layer stability, lubricant storage capacity and the adhesion to substrate, respectively. Relying on the well-designed structure and the good permeability of silicone oil in PDMS, the lubricant storage capacity reaches 0.2 g/cm2, and the lubricant lost on surface is well replenished from the lubricant stored inside, which makes the local surface damage almost repair within 60 min, and the lubricant retention rate still remains 85% under the 15-day seawater scouring. Further, due to its good stability, after 84 h of bacterial fouling and 25 days of algal fouling, only a few bacteria and algal adhered to the LIS surface, showing an anti-biofouling efficiency close to 99.5%. These design theories, fabricating methods and materials could provide ideas for the development of advanced smart antifouling materials.