Antibacterial Properties of AquaSun Sol–Gel Coating

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 are investigated. The antimicrobial activity of AquaSun deposited on a steel substrate pretreated with primer and tiecoat paint exposed to a microbial consortium composed of Bacillus aquimaris and Pseudomonas poae is significant and of broad scope. Taking into account the low cost, high stability, and lack of ecotoxicity of this hybrid sol–gel coating, these results are promising en route to developing novel antibacterial coatings of broad applicability.