The emergence of superhydrophobic antibacterial materials represents a promising approach to maintaining surface cleanliness and hygiene by effectively preventing bacterial adhesion. This research outlines the synthesis of a superhydrophobic coating with anti-adhesion and bacteriostatic properties, utilizing silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were conducted to analyze the coating’s morphology and surface characteristics. The coating was applied to glass substrates using the spray coating method, and the number of layers was varied to evaluate its antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties. These properties were measured using turbidimetry and inhibition halo techniques. Additionally, the durability of the coatings was assessed by exposing them to outdoor conditions for 35 days. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and bacteriostatic capacities of the superhydrophobic coating, along with its resistance to outdoor weathering. The results indicate that a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle ≥ 150° and a sliding angle ≤ 10° was successfully synthesized using SiO2 NPs smaller than 10 nm, modified with PFDTES. The coating demonstrated an ability to inhibit bacterial growth by preventing the adhesion of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the number of coating layers significantly influenced its bacteriostatic efficacy. The coating also exhibited strong durability under outdoor conditions. These findings highlight the potential application of superhydrophobic coatings for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and growth in environments where such contamination poses risks.
1 September 2015 in Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing
In this work, structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films grown by laser ablation of a Zn metallic target on oxygen atmosphere using the 532 nm emission of the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, are studied. Different mean kinetic energies of the plasma (Ek) at fixed ion density (Np) were used as control parameters. X-ray diffraction profiles show the presence of a width (002) peak together with a peak associated with the (101) reflection. Changes in Ek affect the crystallinity of the samples. An intense PL emission in the visible range of the spectra associated with a majority intrinsic donor defects can be observed. The films showed an unusual low electrical resistivity as compared to the commonly reported values for undoped ZnO thin films.