Development of Superhydrophobic Surfaces Resistant to Bacterial Fouling for Potential Use in Agriculture and Medicine

Abstract

The issues arising from bacterial biofilm formation in medicine and agriculture were reviewed with particular focuses on implantable biomedical device infection and the cross-contamination of vegetables within the post-harvest food production chain. Literature was reviewed regarding coating and surface treatment technologies which have potential use in preventing bacterial biofilm formation on surfaces within the medicine and agriculture sectors. These technologies were compared and superhydrophobics were identified as one possible area of technology development with the potential for a large impact. Superhydrophobic coating technologies were developed on both metallic and polymer substrates including titanium Ti6Al4V alloy, 304 stainless-steel, and polyvinyl chloride. The wetting properties of these surfaces were explored through both static and dynamic contact angle measurement with water, surfactant solutions, and phosphate buffered saline. Surface morphologies were examined using SEM and roughness quantified with AFM. Surface chemistry was probed with both XPS and FTIR. The ability of these surfaces to resist fouling by bacteria in both simulated perioperative contamination scenarios and simulated vegetable processing was demonstrated.