Inspired by
nature: Paints and coatings containing bactericidal agent nanoparticles combat
marine fouling
Vanadium
pentoxide nanoparticles mimic natural enzymes and inhibit surface build-up of
algae and bacteria
Scientists
at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany have discovered that
tiny vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of barnacles,
bacteria, and algae on surfaces in contact with water, such as ship hulls, sea
buoys, or offshore platforms. Their experiments showed that steel plates to
which a coating containing dispersed vanadium pentoxide particles had been
applied could be exposed to seawater for weeks without the formation of
deposits of barnacles, bacteria, and algae. In comparison, plates that were
coated only with the ship's normal paint exhibited massive fouling after
exposure to seawater for the same period of time. The discovery could lead to
the development of new protective, antifouling coatings and paints that are
less damaging to the environment than the ship coatings currently used.
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