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Dual-functional systems with superhydrophobic and antimicrobial characteristics

Abstract:

Biofouling of materials used in biological environments is one of the main problems in the medical, food, and marine industries, leading to severe infection development, loss of products, and deterioration of equipment. Therefore, the development of biofouling-resistant surfaces or coatings is essential to advance in these fields, main in biomedical. Currently, the integration of multiple functionalities in a single material has shown more effectiveness in preventing biofouling. Superhydrophobic materials are among the most studied antifouling materials due to their effectiveness in the prevention of microorganism adhesion; these are promising materials to endow antimicrobial properties and generate a dual-functional system. This chapter presents the antifouling mechanism of superhydrophobic materials and a recount of the recent advances in the development of superhydrophobic dual-functionality systems, explaining the antimicrobial action mechanism of the different agents used, such as metallic agents (silver, copper, and zinc oxide), antibiotics, biocides, immobilized enzymes, N-halamines, and quaternary amines.