Novel hydrophobic hyperbranched silicone/graphene-metal oxide nanocomposites for combating marine biofouling

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Selim M.S.; Azzam A.M.; Higazy S.A.; Mostafa A.B.; Hao Z.
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: 2025
Volume / Issue: Volume 522
Article No.: 167749
ISSN: 13858947
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.167749
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Retracted
Authors and Affiliations
Selim M.S., Petroleum Application Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Nasr City, Cairo, 11727, Egypt; Azzam A.M., Department of Environmental Research, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), P.O. Box 30, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Higazy S.A., Petroleum Application Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Nasr City, Cairo, 11727, Egypt; Mostafa A.B., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Hao Z., Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
Abstract
Marine fouling represents an intricate issue with negative impacts to the shipping industry's economy and environment. Shipping now accounts for more than 90 % of international trade. Since the international maritime organization outlawed TBT-antifouling substances in 2008, fouling release paints have drawn increased attention as more viable and environmentally friendly alternatives. Here, extraordinary marine antifouling coatings were created using a novel series of organic/inorganic nanocomposite materials loaded with copper oxide grafted on the graphene oxide surface (GO-CuO). An easy single-phase procedure was utilized to fabricate novel and reasonably priced GO-CuO hybrid nanofillers. The relationship between structure and property was investigated by ex-situ distributing different percentages of GO-CuO filler into the hyperbranched silicone matrix. The produced nanocomposites were examined using various analytical techniques, including DLS, EDX, and field emission TEM and SEM microscopes. The low surface free energy, superhydrophobicity, and micro/nano-roughness of the coated surfaces have garnered significant interest. We assessed the produced HTHPSi-modified silicone/GO−CuO nanocomposite surface, mechanical, and antifouling properties. The antifouling performance of the coated specimens is tested in the lab for 30 days using different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and fungus organisms. The uniform dispersed HTHPSi-modified silicone/GO−CuO nanocomposite (4.0 wt%) exhibited reduction percentages toward gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains which were 68 %, and 63 %, respectively. A very low toxicity against the biological indicator Daphnia magna (less than 6 %) was recorded, which means that it is an environmentally safe coating. The well-dispersion of GO-CuO filler could impact the coatings' hydrophobicity, fouling-resistance, and roughness of the modeled nanopaints. This study demonstrated their durability, cost-savings, eco-friendless, and prospective application for marine antifouling surfaces. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords
Antifouling coatings; Marine fouling; Nanocomposite materials; Nanofillers; Superhydrophobicity; Antifouling paint; Bacteria; Biofouling; Copper oxides; Costs; Durability; Fillers; Free energy; Hydrophobicity; International trade; Organic coatings; Ships; Silicone coatings; Silicones; Antifouling coating; Graphenes; Hydrophobics; Hyperbranched; Marine antifoulings; Metal-oxide; Nanofiller; Shipping industry; Nanocomposites
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 7
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