Method and apparatus for preventing biofouling of surfaces
View Patent ↗A method for preventing accumulation of organisms on a surface exposed to a marine environment. Nano-particles are provided in a water soluble polymer. The nano-particles have a thickness of about 2 nanometers and a major surface area of about 3 microns and are treated by a quaternary ammonium salt. The treated nano-particles are mixed into the water soluble polymer material. This mixture can be applied to the exposed surface. Biofouling is prevented by the sharpness of the nano-particles, sloughing of the water soluble material, and biocidal action caused by the quaternary ammonium salt.
1. A method for preventing accumulation of organisms on a surface exposed to a marine environment comprising the steps of:
providing phyllosilicate nano-particles having a thickness of about 2 nanometers and a major surface area of about between 2 and 3 square microns;
treating the provided nano-particles with a quaternary ammonium salt;
providing a water soluble polymer material;
mixing said treated nano-particles into said water soluble polymer material; and
applying said water soluble polymer material and treated nano-particle mixture to the surface without aligning said treated nano-particles.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the nano-particles are made from a natural clay material.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the water soluble polymer material comprises a selected one of a polyvinyl alcohol, a water soluble polyester and a combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying comprises casting said water soluble polymer material and treated nano-particle mixture onto the surface.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying comprises spraying said water soluble polymer material and treated nano-particle mixture onto the surface.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mixing comprises high shear mixing of said treated nano-particles into said water soluble polymer.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mixing further comprises applying sonification.
8. A biocidal coating for a surface comprising:
a plurality of phyllosilicate nano-particles having a thickness of about 2 nanometers and a major surface area of about between 2 and 3 square microns treated by an organophilic quaternary ammonium salt in order to exfoliate said nano-particles; and
a water soluble polymer having said plurality of nano-particles mixed randomly therein and therethrough wherein said coating is applied to the surface in such a manner as to preserve the random orientation of said plurality of nano-particles therein.
9. The coating of claim 8 wherein the coating is applied to the surface by spraying.
10. The coating of claim 8 wherein the coating is applied to the surface by casting.
11. The coating of claim 8 wherein the nano-particles are made from a natural clay material.
12. The coating of claim 8 wherein the water soluble polymer material comprises a selected one of a polyvinyl alcohol, a water soluble polyester and a combination thereof.