Fabrication of porous aluminium coating by arc spray for anchoring hydrogel layer for antifouling applications
Jianxin Wen, Hua Li
Biofouling has been persisting as a worldwide problem due to the difficulties in finding efficient environment-friendly antifouling coatings for long-term applications. Recently hydrogel coating was proposed to serve as antifouling layer, for it offers the advantages of the ease of incorporating green biocides, resisting attachment of microorganisms by the soft surfaces. Yet adhesion of the hydrogel on steel surfaces is a big concern. In this study, porous aluminum coatings with different porosity levels were designed and fabricated by arc spraying aluminium-salt cored wire. The sizes and distribution of the pores in the Al coatings were controlled by altering related parameters such as wire fabrication parameters, spray distance, arc spray voltage, etc.. Silicone hydrogel was further made on the porous coating. It was noted that the hydrogel already penetrated into the Al coatings with through-thickness pores, and the porous Al structure significantly enhanced the stability of the hydrogel as tested in turbulent water. In addition, antifouling testing already suggested very encouraging antifouling performances of the coatings.
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