Bio-Inspired Non-Bactericidal Coating Used for Antibiofouling

Inspired by the antifouling properties of soft coral surface, the antifouling film of graphene-silicone elastomers (GSE) composite materials are prepared and modified with a tentacle structure (TS-GSE). This antifouling coating has an adjusted elastic modulus, originally low surface energy, and strong electronegativity, and all these physical properties are a benefit to antifouling. The nonbactericidal film of TS-GSE can expel bacteria through physical interaction, and it is more effective than bactericidal coatings. Moreover, the elasticity deformation of SE is modeled by the standard k-epsilon turbulence model. Results indicate this elastic material has a harmonic motion effect through deformation under the fluid flow, and the response frequency is about 10 Hz. The harmonic motion effect makes the elastic surface unstable and provide a foul release basis. Bacteria attachment is tested under both static conditions and dynamic conditions, and results show that the antiadhesion coating of TS-GSE showed strong antiadhesion activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This work should not only enhance understanding of elastomers-based antifouling materials but also facilitate the design and construction of other types of nontoxic foul-release materials.