Fabrication of biomimetic slippery liquid-infused porous surface on 5086 aluminum alloy with excellent antifouling performance

Biofouling triggers extensive research in ship tribology. Antifouling technology has garnered great attention as a solution for biofouling; thus, biomimetic lubricant-infused surfaces are developed as alternatives to superhydrophobic surfaces. In this study, we developed slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) by infusing perfluoropolyether oil into porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) surfaces using a vacuum impregnation device. The oil settled firmly in the AAO surfaces owing to the strong capillary forces in the pores, thus forming a lubricating layer with a low contact angle hysteresis and long-term slippery condition. SLIPS exhibited an excellent antifouling performance by reducing 98.4% ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum. The coefficient of biofilm formed by the microorganisms was also investigated. The results confirmed that the lubricating layer impeded the formation of biofilm. This research provides valuable information for the fabrication of SLIPS and its antifouling mechanism.