Experimental Study on Microbial Fouling Inhibition Performance of Ni-P-NanoTiO2 Composite Surfaces

Microbial fouling of heat exchangers causes serious issues including increased fuel consumption, flow resistance, and maintenance cost expenditure. Composite Ni-P-nanoTiO₂ coatings were prepared for inhibiting and mitigating the heat exchanger microbial fouling deposition. The surface energy components and wall adhesion work of microbial fouling medium had a significant effect on the microbial fouling deposition process. Compared with carbon steel coupons, the microbial fouling deposition on Ni-P-nanoTiO₂ coatings was reduced by about 90 % and the wall adhesion work and microbial fouling deposition rate of these coatings were less. The Ni-P-nanoTiO₂ coatings might not only be advantageous for controlling the initial microbial adhesion, but also effective for reducing the fouling deposition rate.