Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
(PPZO) were shown to significantly reduce algae adhesion. Qiu et al. submerged five substrates of slate into the Baltic Sea to gather algae fouling. As seen in Figure 2, reference materials of AlMg3, PTU and PPZ were shown to have the highest degree of fouling with both green and brown algae taking up most of the surface, whereas PDMS and PPZO had far fewer. Subsequent brush cleaning of AlMg3, PTU and PPZ revealed that most algae was able to come off with slight surface residue, but the PDMS and PPZO substrates witnessed a complete removal without any algae residue.
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Additionally, the ZnO microparticles is a key component to address the limits of pure PDMS based coating as its incorporation improved the mechanical stability and adhesion strength to substrates [27]. The tensile strength of the nanocomposite was approximately 63 MPa, which is significantly higher than results reported in other studies. For example, Ba et al [28] reported tensile strength up to 200 times lower for their silicon-modified PDMS coating, and Zhang et al’s [29] organogel-based anti-fouling layer exhibited tensile strength that was up to 400 times lower. These comparative findings underscore the crucial role that nanostructures play into developing high-performing, durable anti-fouling coatings that are able to address the mechanical weakness of traditional, standard materials.
This study also highlights the exceptional anti-biofouling performance of the PDMS and PPZO nanocomposites with great fouling-removal property, similar to the revelations found in the study by Selim et al. [20]. The PDMS phase contributed to low surface energy, while the silicone oil formed a lubricating interfacial layer that inhibited bio-adhesion. Additionally, Qiu used a low viscosity silicone oil in PDMS suggesting that less viscous lubricants could be retained better on target surfaces and help the release of algae settlements as compared to more viscous oils [23]. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of lubricant-modified nanocomposites as effective, non-toxic additives in anti-fouling marine coatings.
Figure 2: Experimental nanocomposite substrates immersed in the Baltic Sea for 5 months before and after cleaning procedure [27].
In order for SLIPs to be effective in marine environments, the chemical and physical properties of surface morphology must be engineered and optimised to ensure that the surface structure is able to resist lubricant loss and provide long-lasting durability, while also maintaining anti-fouling performance underlying dynamic condition [17]. In 2020, Dr. Renzo A. Fenati [17] and his team at the School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, developed a slippery liquid-infused surface by infusing non-toxic silicone oil into microstructure
30 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.190 DECEMBER 2025
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