Reduction of biofilm accumulation by constant and alternating potentials in static and dynamic field experiments

Abstract

The application of electric fields to conductive coatings is an environmentally friendly way to reduce biofilm formation. In particular alternating potentials (APs) have received increasing attention in recent studies. Here, an electrochemical rotating disk setup for dynamic field exposure experiments was developed to study how APs alter the attachment of fouling organisms in a multispecies ocean environment. A specific focus of the device design was proper integration of the potentiostat in the strongly corroding saltwater environment. The effect of APs on the accumulation of fouling organisms in short term field exposures was studied. Potentials on conductive gold surfaces were periodically switched between −0.3 V and 0.3 V or between −0.8 V and 0.6 V at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. APs were capable of significantly reducing the attachment of marine fouling organisms compared with the conductive samples immersed at open circuit potentials.

Keywords:

• Marine biofouling
• alternating potentials
• adhesion
• rotating disk
• field testing

Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the Mercator foundation (Pr-2015-0018), BMBF 02WIL1487, and ONR N00014-20-12244 (RUB) and N00014-20-12243 (FIT). The authors are indebted to Prof. W. Schuhmann and Prof. K. Tschulik, Analytical Chemistry, RUB for helpful discussions and advice.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Mercator foundation (Pr-2015-0018), BMBF 02WIL1487, and ONR N00014-20-12244 (RUB) and N00014-20-12243 (FIT). The authors are indebted to Prof. W. Schuhmann and Prof. K. Tschulik, Analytical Chemistry, RUB for helpful discussions and advice.