| AVS 58th Annual International Symposium and Exhibition | |
| Marine Biofouling Focus Topic | Monday Sessions |
| Session MB-MoM |
| Session: | Interfacial Aspects of Marine Biofouling |
| Presenter: | Robert Lamb, The University of Melbourne, Australia |
| Authors: | R. Lamb, The University of Melbourne, Australia A. Wu, The University of Melbourne, Australia K. Cho, The University of Melbourne, Australia H. Zhang, The University of Melbourne, Australia |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Nano-engineered superhydrophobic surfaces have been investigated for potential fouling resistance properties. Integrating hydrophobic materials with nanoscale roughness generates surfaces with superhydrophobicity that have water contact angles (θ) in excess of 160° and low hysteresis (< 10°).
Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to investigate the presence of air incursions at immersed superhydrophobic interfaces with varying nano/microscale architecture. This technique, sensitive to local changes in electron density, looks at the nanoscale wetting of the rough interface.
Three superhydrophobic coatings differing in their chemical compositions and architecture were analyzed using SAXS and tested against major fouling species (Amphora sp., Ulva rigida, Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa, Bugula neritina, Amphibalanus amphitrite) in settlement assays.
Varying extents of attachment-inhibiting properties were observed across the tested coatings and appeared to correlate with the resistance to nanowetting rather than macroscopic contact angle measurements.