Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemical Engineering Journal journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/cej Polyurethane flms modifed with polyaniline-zinc oxide nanocomposites for biofouling mitigation Vandana A. Mooss a , Faseela Hamza b , Smita S. Zinjarde b , Anjali A. Athawale a, ⁎ a Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India b Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India HIGHLIGHTS • PANI-ZnO nanocomposite (2%) has a remarkable efect on the surface characteristics of PU. • Modifed flms exhibit superior me- chanical properties and surface hy- drophilicity. • A passive method of antifouling property against a broad range of marine organisms. GRAPHICALABSTRACT ARTICLEINFO Keywords: Antifouling Polyurethane Polyaniline-ZnO nanocomposite Passive technology ABSTRACT Eco-friendly antifouling coatings are considered to be superior alternatives over conventional biocidal agents that afect marine life adversely. Considering this fact, polyurethane (PU) flms modifed with a novel pigment [Polyaniline-Zinc oxide (PANI-ZnO) nanocomposites, 1–2% w/w] and phytic acid as a chelating dopant have been developed. The structure has been elucidated using Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray difraction, X-ray pho- toelectron spectroscopy and the surface properties of the flms were explored by using atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, and swelling ratios. PANI-ZnO nanocomposite particles conferred excellent che- mical, mechanical and thermal properties to the PU flms. The antifouling properties of the modifed PU flms were tested against marine bacteria (Gram negative: Vibrio harveyi and Gram positive: Bacillus licheniformis)both qualitatively and quantitatively (80 to 12% for V. harveyi and 75 to 20% for B. licheniformis). In-vitro studies displayed good antifouling performance of the modifed PU-PANI-ZnO flms. The present study ofers a simple, moreover a passive (green) technology that allows restoration of submerged surfaces with minimal detrimental efect on marine fora and fauna. 1. Introduction In the aquatic environment, submerged surfaces are signifcantly afected by the growth of micro/macro organisms via biofouling pro- cess. The ensuing biocorrosion is responsible for annual economic da- magestothetuneof∼500billionUSD [1]. Biofouling adversely afects the performance as well as the efciency of marine equipment or vessels by lowering its speed, increasing the consumption of fuel, en- hancing metallic corrosion, emission of greenhouse gases and un- expected catastrophe related to structural failures [2–5]. Apart from these issues, biofouling has detrimental impacts on water treatment plants, power generation stations, and also in aquaculture. In addition, biofouled surfaces can serve as reservoirs for invasive species in marine ecosystems.Thisproblemtendstobepersistentasbiofouling-associated https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.11.038 Received 4 August 2018; Received in revised form 3 November 2018; Accepted 5 November 2018 ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: agbed@chem.unipune.ac.in (A.A. Athawale). Chemical Engineering Journal xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx 1385-8947/ © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Please cite this article as: Mooss, V.A., Chemical Engineering Journal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.11.038