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ZnO nanorod-chitosan composite coatings with enhanced antifouling properties
Mohammed A Al-Belushi1, Myo Tay Zar Myint2, Htet Htet Kyaw3
1Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al Khoud, 123, Oman; Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Central Laboratory for Food Safety and Quality, PO Box 3094, Airport Central Post, 111 Muscat, Oman.
Abstract:
The current study describes the fabrication of chitosan‑zinc oxide nanorods composite (CHT/ZnO) on fiberglass panels (support substrate). ZnO nanorods (NRs) with size ranging from 20 to 100 nm and some microrods with an approximate size of 0.5-1 μm were grown on fiberglass panels. CHT 1%/ZnO composite had ZnO NRs incorporated into chitosan (CHT) coating while ZnO NRs were not visible in the CHT 2%/ZnO NRs composite. XRD and FTIR results showed the presence of the ZnO and chitosan. The water contact angle decreased from 80° ± 2° (control) to 65° ± 2° for CHT 1%/ZnO NRs and 42 ± 2° for CHT 2%/ZnO NRs composite coatings. The antimicrobial activities of the coated fiberglass panels were investigated using biofilm-forming bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli under both light and dark conditions. CHT/ZnO composite coated fiberglass panels showed the strongest antimicrobial activity compared to chitosan, ZnO NRs coatings, and Zn-based antifouling paint in the experiments with B. subtilis and E. coli under light conditions. The highest antifouling activity was observed for CHT 2%/ZnO composites. CHT/ZnO composites can be good alternatives to the toxic antifouling paints.
