Structural modification of aluminium alloy for preparation of hydrophobic and antibacterial ZnO-based coatings

By combining mechanical treatment of aluminium alloy with subsequent surface modification using micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology, zinc oxide (ZnO) oxide coatings were prepared, which achieved enhanced hydrophobic properties, excellent antibacterial activity and corrosion resistance. The coatings were oxidised at different MAO discharge intensities using different frequencies. All surfaces were subjected to determination of wettability, corrosion resistance and chemical stability at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days and antibacterial activity of the coatings against the bacterial population of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli with an evaluation of population inhibition after 24 h. The surfaces mechanically modified by blasting showed a hydrophobic character; their subsequent oxidation by MAO contributed to a significant increase in hydrophobic properties. The sample with the highest Zn content (1.1 wt.%), prepared at an MAO source frequency of 222 Hz, i.e. at the most intense plasma discharge, showed the most significant chemical stability in simulated body fluid (SBF) and distilled water and showed the highest antibacterial activity after 24 h. Thus, blasting of aluminium alloy surfaces and their subsequent MAO in alkaline electrolyte allows to obtain oxide coatings with antibacterial, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant properties with the possibility of their use on surfaces with potential occurrence of harmful bacteria.