How do Graphene Composite Surfaces Affect the Development and Structure of Marine Cyanobacterial Biofilms?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Maria João Romeu (Author) FEUP; Luciana Gomes (Author) FEUP; Sousa Cardoso, F (Author) Other; Morais, J (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Whitehead, KA (Author) Other; Pereira, MFR (Author) Other; Soares, OSGP (Author) Other; Filipe Mergulhão (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Coatings

Vol. 12 No. 1

Final page: 1775

ISSN: 2079-6412

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus

Associated Projects

Healthy Waters - Healthy Waters - Identification, Elimination, Social Awareness and Education of Water Chemical and Biological Micropollutants with Health and Environmental Implications

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

NanoCAT - NanoCAT - Utilização de nanotubos de carbono modificados para combater infecções em catéteres urinários e stents

SurfSAFE - Surface modification to increase microbial SAFEty in the food industry

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-FZA

DOI: 10.3390/coatings12111775

Abstract (EN): The progress of nanotechnology has prompted the development of novel marine antifouling coatings. In this study, the influence of a pristine graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-modified surface in cyanobacterial biofilm formation was evaluated over a long-term assay using an in vitro platform which mimics the hydrodynamic conditions that prevail in real marine environments. Surface characterization by Optical Profilometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy has shown that the main difference between GNP incorporated into a commercially used epoxy resin (GNP composite) and both control surfaces (glass and epoxy resin) was related to roughness and topography, where the GNP composite had a roughness value about 1000 times higher than control surfaces. The results showed that, after 7 weeks, the GNP composite reduced the biofilm wet weight (by 44%), biofilm thickness (by 54%), biovolume (by 82%), and surface coverage (by 64%) of cyanobacterial biofilms compared to the epoxy resin. Likewise, the GNP-modified surface delayed cyanobacterial biofilm development, modulated biofilm structure to a less porous arrangement over time, and showed a higher antifouling effect at the biofilm maturation stage. Overall, this nanocomposite seems to have the potential to be used as a long-term antifouling material in marine applications. Moreover, this multifactorial study was crucial to understanding the interactions between surface properties and cyanobacterial biofilm development and architecture over time.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17