Extremely durable biofouling-resistant metallic surfaces based on electrodeposited nanoporous tungstite films on steel

TLDR

Unwanted deposits on steel in liquids cause corrosion, biofouling, and reduce durability. The study introduces a new electrodeposition route to create anti‑fouling steel surfaces using nanoporous tungsten oxide films. The authors electrodeposit nanoporous tungsten oxide films onto steel, forming durable anti‑fouling coatings. TO‑modified steels match bare steel in mechanical durability, resist compressive and tensile stresses, remain superhydrophobic under extreme conditions, display omniphobicity when lubricated, and markedly reduce marine algal, bacterial, and blood adhesion on naval and surgical steels.

Abstract

Abstract Formation of unwanted deposits on steels during their interaction with liquids is an inherent problem that often leads to corrosion, biofouling and results in reduction in durability and function. Here we report a new route to form anti-fouling steel surfaces by electrodeposition of nanoporous tungsten oxide (TO) films. TO-modified steels are as mechanically durable as bare steel and highly tolerant to compressive and tensile stresses due to chemical bonding to the substrate and island-like morphology. When inherently superhydrophilic TO coatings are converted to superhydrophobic, they remain non-wetting even after impingement with yttria-stabilized-zirconia particles, or exposure to ultraviolet light and extreme temperatures. Upon lubrication, these surfaces display omniphobicity against highly contaminating media retaining hitherto unseen mechanical durability. To illustrate the applicability of such a durable coating in biofouling conditions, we modified naval construction steels and surgical instruments and demonstrated significantly reduced marine algal film adhesion, Escherichia coli attachment and blood staining.