Antifouling Slippery Surface with Enhanced Stability for Marine Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Tribology

Background:

• Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs) are effective for antifouling but degrade in dynamic environments.
• TC4 titanium alloy, used in marine applications, suffers from biofouling and corrosion.
• Existing SLIPS technologies have limitations in long-term stability and performance under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel slippery liquid-infused surface (STASL) on TC4 titanium alloy.
• To enhance the durability and performance of slippery surfaces in dynamic marine conditions.
• To mitigate biofouling and corrosion on titanium alloy components.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of STASL using hydroxyl end-blocked dimethylsiloxane (OH-PDMS), KH550 silane coupling agent, and TiO2-Ag nanoparticles.
• Infusion with silicone oil to create the slippery surface.
• Testing of droplet sliding capabilities, oil retention, slippery stability under rotation, and biofouling reduction.

Main Results:

• The STASL demonstrated excellent sliding speeds for various droplets (up to 2.859 cm/s).
• Superior oil retention and slippery stability were observed compared to traditional SLIPS, especially at higher speeds.
• Significant reduction in adhesion of proteins (50.0%), bacteria (77.8%), and algae (78.8%) was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed STASL provides stable antifouling performance in both static and dynamic conditions.
• This novel surface offers a promising solution for marine biofouling and corrosion on TC4 titanium alloy.
• The enhanced durability and self-cleaning properties make STASL suitable for demanding marine environments.