Competing with barnacle cement: wetting resistance of a re-entrant surface reduces underwater adhesion of barnacles. Issue 145 (22nd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petersen, Dennis S.; Kleinteich, Thomas; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Heepe, Lars
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Society interface. Volume 15:Issue 145(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-08-22
• Subjects: adhesion -- wettability -- microstructures -- barnacle -- marine bioadhesives -- biofouling; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Interdisciplinary research -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0396
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5689

Abstract

Abstract : Surfaces with re-entrant topographies can repel liquids even of extremely low surface tension, almost independently of the material's inherent wettability. We show that this topography-based wetting resistance can also be applied to underwater applications, reducing the permanent adhesion of marine hardfouling organisms. Having combined a biofouling assay in the marine environment with microscopic analyses, we demonstrate how a synergistic effect of a soft silicone-based material with a re-entrant mushroom-shaped surface topography strongly increases the fouling release ability of such coatings compared with a smooth control made from the same material. Our coating inhibited the complete wetting of the solidifying glues produced by marine organisms, which resulted in a decreased contact area and, consequently, low adhesion. Our work suggests that topography-induced wetting resistance of surfaces may become a viable approach in preventing permanent adhesion of marine hardfouling organisms.