Summary
Currently, the problem of fouling/scaling forces to replace sensor components frequently or to carry out mechanical cleaning cycles which is maintenance- and cost-intensive. In the worst case, ecologically harmful and water-polluting chemicals are used to prevent fouling. In the project, a non-toxic antifouling concept is to be developed to enable low-maintenance and long-term stable measurement technology. The idea is to design specific functionalised surface layers that form water barriers. For the first time, polyhydrophilic functional polymers were combined with polyzwitterionic functional polymers (betaines) in a layer system. A membrane-analogous immobilisation matrix based on tetraether lipids was used for substrate coupling. The layer systems were characterised, optimised and tested under in vitro conditions using established microbiological models and finally examined under real conditions. Furthermore, computer simulations were performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for the production of combinatorial layer systems with sufficient antifouling properties.
On a macroscopic level, the antifouling potentials of the layers could not be confirmed so well in the field tests in contrast to the laboratory test series. Nevertheless, the reduction of adhering biomass or covered area to an average of 45 % to 70 % shows promising approaches, so that the topic will be further pursued by the project partners.
