Biomimetic superhydrophobic and antibacterial stainless-steel mesh via double-potentiostatic electrodeposition and modification

Abstract Inspired by the antifouling property of superhydrophobic surfaces of creatures, developing hybrid materials by loading antibacterial agents of silver nanoparticles on the superhydrophobic stainless-steel meshes, has been successfully achieved by the combination of double-potential deposition and in-situ polymerization grafting method. This study systematically investigated the effects of influencing factors on the Ag nanoparticles topography in the electrodeposition process, including nucleation potential, nucleation time, growth potential and growth time etc. According to the results of the inhibition zone test, from the comparative analysis of the antibacterial effect of the prepared specimens under different deposition parameters, it can be seen that the growth time during the double-potential deposition process had a relatively significant effect. Meanwhile, the presence of Ag nanoparticles is favor to improve the polymerization grafting of PDA@ODA compounds, which exhibited a superhydrophobic state with WCA of 160.6° and SA of 3°. No matter in static or dynamic culture process, the superhydrophobic surfaces were beneficial for reducing bacterial adhesion, ascribed to the superhydrophobic and antibacterial performance associated with the synergistic effect of organic PDA@ODA compounds and inorganic Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, the superhydrophobic stainless-steel mesh have good long-term stability and mechanical stability, which is favor to expand the application scope and working life.