Effect of surface free energy of graded NI–P–PTFE coatings on bacterial adhesion

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 185; no. 2; pp. 199 - 204
• Main Author: Zhao, Q
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 22.07.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biofouling; Dispersion hardening metals; Electroless deposition; Exact sciences and technology; Graded coating; Metallic coatings; Metals. Metallurgy; Nickel–phosphorus–polytetrafluoroethylene (Ni–P–PTFE); Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Graded coating; Nickel–phosphorus–polytetrafluoroethylene (Ni–P–PTFE); Biofouling; Electroless deposition; Nickel base alloys; Metal coating; Composite coating; Tetrafluoroethylene polymer; Phosphorus alloys; Bacterial corrosion; Adhesion; Free energy; Composite material; Dispersion strengthened metal; Surface treatment
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2003.12.009

Biofouling has been recognised as a widespread problem in design and operation of processing equipment, including heat exchangers, cooling water systems and food processing equipment. In the research reported in this paper, the effects of surface free energies on bacterial adhesion were investigated using an intermolecular force theory and the optimum surface free energy of a surface, γ Surface LW on which bacterial adhesion force is minimal was obtained. A graded electroless Ni–P–PTFE coating technique was used to produce anti-bacterial coatings. Initial experimental results showed that these coatings reduced bacterial attachment by 82–97%.