Examination of the effects of localized electric signals on the inhibition of undesired biological adhesion.

摘要

The undesired adhesion of biological species onto surfaces, also known as biofouling, has been a problem for humankind since ancient times. Since any surface in contact with waters is prone to biological colonization, applications such as ship hulls, intakes, tubes, sensors, and many others are severely affected. As most of the current antifouling solutions involve the release of toxic compounds to the environment, there are research and market needs for clean, sustainable protective coatings.;The results presented herein evaluated the effects of using electrical signals onto titanium planar electrodes to inhibit bioadhesion. Biofouling inhibition was demonstrated for the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus (= Balanus) amphitrite, the latter one of the most common marine foulers. Barnacle fouling inhibition was achieved by the cathodic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radicals. Generation of ROS by the application of electric pulse trains was demonstrated, as an alternative to traditional potentiostatic activation.