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Effect of Polymer/Metal Oxide Hybrid Composite on Antifouling Properties
of Epoxy/PEDOT: PSS/Cerium Doped Zinc Oxide Coating
Siti Norlin Salwanie Bt Mohd Arifin
Supervisor: Dr. Wan Rafizah Bt Wan Abdullah
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Biofouling is one of the major concerns because it potentially causes negative impacts
towards various engineering and environmental applications. Development of effective
antifouling coating is therefore crucial for protection of structures and sustaining
hygiene surfaces. In this study, coating formulations made of Epoxy/PEDOT:PSS/Ce
doped ZnO have been prepared and investigation on its antifouling properties of has
been performed. The effects of varying PEDOT:PSS-Ce doped ZnO hybrid composite
composition (1, 3, and 5 wt %) were observed. The properties of Epoxy/PEDOT:
PSS/Ce doped ZnO coating were characterized using ATR-FTIR and SEM. Antimicrobial
and antifouling activities were determined through the disc diffusion method and MB
degradation assay, respectively. The findings showed that the distribution of ZnO on
surface morphology decrease with increasing the composition of hybrid composite.
Furthermore, the coating demonstrated hygienic properties by exhibiting higher
antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative
bacteria and photocatalytic efficiency up to 40% under UV illumination.
92 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019