A Liquid Metal-Based Temperature-Responsive Low-Toxic Smart Coating for Anti-Biofouling Applications in Marine...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Marine Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Titanium alloys are crucial in marine engineering but susceptible to biofouling due to their biocompatibility.
• Existing anti-biofouling strategies often lack environmental adaptability and can be wasteful.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a temperature-responsive, low-toxicity smart coating for titanium alloys.
• To control the release of active ions (Ga3+, Cu2+, Cu1+) based on temperature for effective biofouling control.
• To investigate the coating's anti-biofouling efficacy and corrosion resistance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized micro-arc oxidation technology and spontaneous galvanic replacement reactions.
• Incorporated liquid metal particles into the coating for temperature-controlled ion release.
• Tested the coating's performance against Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) at varying temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 30°C).

Main Results:

• The smart coating demonstrated temperature-dependent ion release, maximizing active ingredient release at 30°C (SRB's optimal temperature).
• Achieved a 99.9% bactericidal rate against SRB at 30°C and 97.3% at 10°C, showcasing intelligent performance.
• The coating exhibited excellent anti-biofouling properties attributed to physical damage and ion toxicity, along with good corrosion resistance.

Conclusions:

• The developed temperature-responsive smart coating offers an efficient and intelligent solution for marine biofouling.
• This approach conserves active ingredients by releasing them only when necessary, optimizing performance and sustainability.
• Presents a novel design strategy for advanced smart anti-biofouling coatings in marine applications.