Recent developments in superhydrophobic surfaces and their relevance to marine fouling: a review |
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Authors: | Jan Genzer Kirill Efimenko |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical &2. Biomolecular Engineering , North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Jan_Genzer@ncsu.edu;4. Biomolecular Engineering , North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina, USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract In this review, a brief synopsis of superhydrophobicity (i.e. extreme non-wettability) and its implications on marine fouling are presented. A short overview of wettability and recent experimental developments aimed at fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces by tailoring their chemical nature and physical appearance (i.e. substratum texture) are reviewed. The formation of responsive/“smart” surfaces, which adjust their physico-chemical properties to variations in some outside physical stimulus, including light, temperature, electric field, or solvent, is also described. Finally, implications of tailoring the surface chemistry, texture, and responsiveness of surfaces on the design of effective marine fouling coatings are considered and discussed. |
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Keywords: | Marine fouling wettability superhydrophobic surfaces responsive/“smart” surfaces amphiphilic surfaces |
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