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A review on coatings based on modified surface topography-biomimetic approach for the inhibition of marine biofouling
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Author : Lokeshwar Mahto *a, Dharm Pal *a, Vivek Kumar Gaba b and Manisha Agrawal c
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ABSTRACT
Biofouling of marine ships and structures is always detrimental to the maritime industry resulting in a reduction in speed and increased cost of operation and maintenance. Developing a non-polluting environmental-friendly and highly efficient coating towards all kind of biofouling organisms is a challenging task. Because of the recent technological advancements in nanotechnology, one of the strategies is to modify the surface topography inspired from nature. Bio-mimicking the topography of natural surfaces like animal skin and surface of leaves facilitates to repel fouling organisms from artificial surfaces effectively. In this article, the topographic properties such as surface roughness and superhydrophobicity relating to the antibiofouling mechanism and the technologies like photolithography, laser ablation, template casting, etc. used in the fabrication of these surfaces have been critically reviewed to give a deeper insight into the latest developments and challenges associated with coating and biofouling.
KEYWORD
Marine coating, biofouling, topography, surface modification, bio-mimicking