Coatings for the prevention of marine fouling

Microorganisms attachment to the surfaces located in the marine water has become a significant problem. Historically, the antifouling properties of the coatings were achieved by using biocides, which had a negative consequence to the marine environment. Currently, alternative environmental friendly methods are required. This thesis aimed to investigate and produce the antifouling coatings that can be used as potential candidates in the marine industry. In this study, a range of novel polymer nanocomposite coatings was fabricated via the method of solvent and tested based on the strategy of microbial adhesion. The composition of the coatings mainly contains polidimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and different nanomaterials. The coatings applied on glass substrate were characterised using X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In biofouling assays, attachment of bacteria B. Subtilis and three marine microalgae (Skeletonema sp., Amphora sp., D. Salina) was investigated in laboratory scale. The obtained results suggested that small amount of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix can improve the antifouling settlement behaviour of the coatings. All microalgae attached more on PDMS/SiO2 and control surfaces (glass and PDMS) compared to the coatings containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and sodium bismuth titanate (NBT). The influence of contact time, surface roughness and surface wettability was also studied. The microbial attachment varied significantly with respect to contact time and surface properties. There was no obvious evidence showing that the wetting properties and the roughness of the coatings have an effect on growth ... [cont.].