How Interfacial Properties Affect Adhesion: An Analysis from the Interactions between Microalgal Cells and Solid...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Surface Science
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Microalgal biofilms are crucial for renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and carbon reduction.
• Microalgal cell adhesion to solid substrates is fundamental for biofilm formation and control.
• Systematic understanding of surface properties influencing algal cell adhesion is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the fundamental principles of microalgal cell adhesion onto solid substrates.
• To investigate the impact of surface properties on interaction energies between algal cells and substrates.
• To identify critical surface properties for promoting microalgal cell adhesion.

Main Methods:

• Utilized extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (eDLVO) theory to analyze interaction energies.
• Performed sensitivity analysis to determine the influence of surface properties.
• Examined surface potential (ξ) and surface free energy components (γ_s^-).

Main Results:

• Surface potential and surface free energy components significantly impact microalgal cell adhesion.
• For positively charged surfaces (ξ > 0), reducing ξ or electron donor components (γ_s^-) enhances adhesion.
• For negatively charged surfaces (ξ < 0), increasing γ_s^- or the absolute value of ξ should be avoided.

Conclusions:

• Surface properties are critical determinants of microalgal cell adhesion tendency.
• Provides guidance for selecting and modifying solid substrates to promote microalgal adhesion.
• Offers insights for optimizing microalgal biofilm applications in energy and environmental sectors.