主要譯著者：Limei Tian, Jie Zhao, Huichao Jin, Wei Bing, Rujian Jiang
出版機構：science press
出版日期：2023-1-1
Biofouling is the gradual accumulation of fouling organisms (such as bacteria, diatoms, and barnacles) on wetted surfaces. Back in 1943, Zobell first discussed biofilm formation and related-corrosion on solid surfaces. Since then, the negative impacts, the formation mechanism, and the solutions of biofouling have been studied by many researchers, and it became the focus of extensive research in recent years. The growth of fouling organisms on marine vessels increases drag and accelerates corrosion, which can lead to high fuel consumption and excessive maintenance costs. Marine biofouling consumes billions of dollars and causes environmental disasters every year in the global shipping industry. The excessive fuel consumption increases the emissions of greenhouse gas (e.g., CO2), harmful compounds (e.g., NOx and SOx), and atmospheric pollutants. The CO2 can contribute to the global warming trend and the NOx and SOx cause acid rain and soil damage. The atmospheric pollutants in the air increase the health risk of human beings. These harmful emissions cause approximately 60, 000 deaths globally and €200 billion losses every year. Historically, the conventional antifouling coatings were incorporated with toxic substances, which have been banned in many countries because of their toxicity to the marine environment. Hence, the development of effective, environmentally friendly, and low-cost antifouling coatings is necessitated.
The formation of biofilm on biomedical surfaces and public facilities also leads to biofouling, which can bring bacterial infection risk to patients and public health. The application of antibiotics can reduce suffereings of human beings caused by bacterial infections. However, the optimism of antibiotic application was weakened by the discovery of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, it is necessary to construct an effective and antibiotics-free anti-biofouling and antibacterial surface coating on medical settings to prevent bacterial adhesion and settlement, reducing the spread of infections.
In the long-term evolution process of natural organisms, they present multiple functions through the joint action of their own morphology, structure, and other factors to achieve the maximum adaptation to the environment. Many of natural organisms have developed antifouling strategies. Inspired by these strategies, lots of artificial surfaces have been fabricated and tested. They are highly efficient and environmental-compatibility, and they have potential to achieve enhanced antifouling capabilities and desirable properties by combining the characteristics of novel materials. This book will focus on the application of bioinspired antifouling surfaces in the two major fields— marine industry (Chapter I–V) and biomedical field (Chapter VI–X). We expect this book not only satisfies scientific curiosity but also contributes to the design and application of bioinspired antifouling surfaces.