Antibacterial Properties of AquaSun Sol‐Gel Coating

We investigate the antimicrobial activity, surface features, wettability and adhesion of photocatalytic xerogel AquaSun deposited on shipbuilding steel in comparison to those of a commercial antifouling paint. Evaluated exposing the steel substrate pre-treated with primer and tie coat paint andfurther coated with a thin layer of AquaSun to a microbial consortium composed ofBacillus aquimaris DSM 16205Tand Pseudomonas poaeDSM 14936T, the antimicrobial activity is both significant and of broad scope. Taking into account the low cost, high stability and lack of eco-toxicity of this hybrid sol-gel coating, these results are promising en routeto developing novel antimicrobial coatings of broad applicability.