Effect of surface free energy of graded NI–P–PTFE coatings on bacterial adhesion

Biofouling has been recognised as a widespread problem in design and operation of processing equipment, including heat exchangers, cooling water systems and food processing equipment. In the research reported in this paper, the effects of surface free energies on bacterial adhesion were investigated using an intermolecular force theory and the optimum surface free energy of a surface, γSurfaceLW on which bacterial adhesion force is minimal was obtained. A graded electroless Ni–P–PTFE coating technique was used to produce anti-bacterial coatings. Initial experimental results showed that these coatings reduced bacterial attachment by 82–97%.