TiO2 thin Films for Biofouling Applications

This work presents a study of TiO2 thin films prepared by sputtering, for using as protection for biofouling action on marine structures. Titanium oxide thin films were prepared with different amount of oxygen on the surface of regular 1020 steel, a structural material for marine technology. The cristalline structure analysis evidenced the formation of anatase and rutile phases, as well as an amorphous phase of titanium oxide. Roughness measurements shown that the surface finish can contribute to the fixation of microorganisms. The crystalline TiO2 thin films was evaluated as a potential biofouling protective coating. Contact angle measurements revealed that under UV-C light, the material evidenced a changing in wettability from hydrophobic to hydrophilic behavior, what is associated to the activation of photocatalytic reactions that is nocive for living beings on its surface. The effect of marine ambient on sample corroborates this conclusion, where after 6 months of exposure it was not sufficient for growing of biofouling on surface.

本研究针对通过溅射法制备的二氧化钛（TiO₂）薄膜展开探究，该薄膜旨在作为防护涂层抵御海洋结构物表面的生物污损。研究以海洋工程常用结构材料标准1020碳钢为基底，制备了氧含量各异的二氧化钛薄膜。晶体结构分析结果表明，薄膜中形成了锐钛矿相、金红石相以及二氧化钛非晶相。粗糙度测试结果显示，薄膜表面光洁度会对微生物的附着产生促进作用。所制备的晶态二氧化钛薄膜被评估为具有应用潜力的生物污损防护涂层。接触角测试结果表明，在短波紫外线（UV-C）照射下，该薄膜的润湿性会从疏水态转变为亲水态，这一现象与表面光催化反应的激活相关，而该光催化反应对附着于其表面的生物具有灭杀作用。海洋环境对试样的影响验证了上述结论：经过6个月的海洋暴露试验后，试样表面未出现明显的生物污损滋生现象。