Effect of Hydrodynamic Shear Stress on Biofilm Adhesion to Organosilane Self-Assembled Monolayers on Titanium

Derivitization of silica surfaces using organosilane precursors has been established for many years. Extension to engineering materials would potentially be of great value. Potential applications include biological fouling (biofouling) control, increased or lowered adhesion, improved tribology, imparting antimicrobial properties, or inhibition of bacterial colonization that results in infections in medical implants. In particular, bacterial biofouling and the ultimate formation of biofilms in cooling systems on maritime vessels is a chronic and costly problem, which results in higher operating temperatures and decreased machinery and propulsion efficiency. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing use of titanium in heat exchangers in Naval vessels, which is more prone to biofouling than more traditional coppernickel systems. Chlorination is commonly used for bacterial biofouling control in seawater piping systems and heat exchangers; however, environmental regulations on chlorine discharges are forcing alternative approaches to be considered. Ideally, such an approach would be capable of controlling biofouling in a cost-effective way without resulting in the storage or discharge of hazardous chemicals.