Biofouling resistant polyethylene cage aquaculture nettings: A new approach using polyaniline and nano copper oxide

Abstract

Biofouling in cage aquaculture netting causes clogging of meshes, increased stress and retards the growth of fishes. This paper describes a new method of protecting polyethylene cage nettings from biofouling using polyaniline and nano-copper oxide. Polyaniline was synthesized in-situ over polyethylene cage netting material and subsequently treated with nano copper oxide. The modified netting material exposed to estuarine environment exhibited excellent fouling resistance. FTIR characterization confirmed the formation of polyaniline and adsorption of nano copper oxide over the netting material. SEM and AFM evaluation showed uniform coating of polyaniline and nano copper oxide on the polyethylene-polyaniline (PE-PANI) matrix. The results highlight the potential application of polyaniline plus nano copper oxide coated polyethylene nettings in controlling biofouling in cage aquaculture. Keywords: Polyaniline, Biofouling, Polyethylene, Surface modification