Silicone/Ag@SiO₂core–shell nanocomposite as a self-cleaning antifouling coating material

Abstract

The effects of Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanofiller dispersion and micro-nano binary structure on the selfcleaning and fouling release (FR) in the modelled silicone nano-paints were studied. An ultrahydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane/Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanocomposite was prepared as an antifouling coating material. Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanospheres with 60 nm average size and a preferential {111} growth direction were prepared via a facile solvothermal and a modified Stöber methods with a controlled shell thickness. Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanofillers were inserted in the silicone composite surface via solution casting technique. A simple hydrosilation curing mechanism was used to cure the surface coating.Different concentrations of nanofillers were incorporated in the PDMS matrix for studying the structureproperty relationship. Water contact angle (WCA) and surface free energy determinations as well as atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscope were used to investigate the surface selfcleaning properties of the nanocomposites. Mechanical and physical properties were assessed as durability parameters. A comparable study was carried out between silicone/spherical Ag@SiO 2 coreshell nanocomposites and other commercial FR coatings. Selected micro-foulants were used for biological and antifouling assessments up to 28 days. Well-distributed Ag@SiO 2 core-shell (0.5 wt%) exhibited the preferable self-cleaning with WCA of 156 and surface free energy of 11.15 mN m À1.

Emerging trends in clinical implications of bio-conjugated silver nanoparticles in drug delivery

“…Figure 1 displays the contemporary strategies for tailoring the surface of capped AgNPs with biologically gentle, hydrophilic functionalities. In a typical ligand addition methodology, the hydrophobic ligand of the capped AgNP anchors to a biocompatible inorganic hydrophilic head group such as silica [46], secondary silanes [47], zinc sulfide [48] to yield the core-shell structures that stabilize the nanoparticle core, in addition to offering ancillary functionalities or chemical functional groups for further functionalization [49,50]. In addition, silica coating also ensures enhanced hydrophilicity, superior colloidal stability and fewer nonspecific interactions [51].…”

Research Strategies to Develop Environmentally Friendly Marine Antifouling Coatings

“…For example, PDMS has a combination of low surface energy and low elastic modulus, and it has gradually become the base of most antifouling coatings. Selim et al [ 54 ] prepared a super-hydrophobic PDMS-Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanocomposite antifouling coating using the modified Stöber methods. The formation process of the coating is shown in Figure 8 .…”

Superhydrophobic Self-cleaning Surfaces in Nature

“…Moreover, the International Maritime Organization (IMO, 2003) banned the use of tinrelated compounds for fouling resistance on ship hull coatings. The worldwide ban accompanied by utilizing toxic antifouling paints have driven modern research toward eco-friendly solutions particularly, FR technology [61][62][63][64][65][66][67] . Controlling the size and morphology of nanomaterials can improve the performance of nanocomposite [68][69][70] .…”