Enhanced marine antifouling performance of silver-titania nanotube composites from hydrothermal processing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Abstract
Marine fouling is an age-old problem which continues to plague the maritime industry. The fouling process progresses from an initial formation of bacterial biofilm on unprotected surfaces. Silver is a well-known antimicrobial agent which is well-tolerated by mammals, while titania nanotubes have enhanced properties due to a greater specific surface area on the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular structure. A novel 2-step hydrothermal synthesis of a silver-titania nanotube (Ag/TNT) composite material is presented. The morphology, particle size, chemical content, crystal structure, optical properties and surface area were systematically characterized. Determination of biofilm inhibitory properties revealed that Ag/TNT with the lowest silver content (0.95 wt% Ag) decorated with Ag nanoparticles of ca. 3 nm reduced biofilm formation of marine bacterium Halomonas pacifica by 98% compared to pure titania nanotubes and bulk silver alone. Growth inhibition of marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta and Isochrysis sp. were also observed.
Keywords
TiO2 nanotubes, Ag nanocomposite, Marine antifouling, Biofilm inhibitor, Halomonas pacifica
Divisions
PHYSICS
Funders
Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) of Malaysia: the Science fund program (04-02-12-SF0149), the National Nanotechnology Program Grant (NND/NA/(1)/TD11-002), HIR-Chancellery (UM.C/625/1/HIR/079), (J-21002-73810) and HIR-MOHE (UM.C/625/1/H
Publication Title
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Volume
520
Publisher
Elsevier