Development of a functional sol gel coating system via encapsulation of micro-organisms

拟议的研究旨在结合两种技术的优势，即溶胶-凝胶化学和微生物学。溶胶凝胶技术现在被认为是一种潜在的表面预处理和涂层的替代品，这些技术对环境来说是不可接受的。这些处理方法包括致癌的铬酸盐和被确定为有害物质风险（RoHS）的磷酸盐。溶胶凝胶（硅烷基）涂层无毒，不含铬（VI），因此符合环保要求。微生物腐蚀（MIC）是一种加速腐蚀的形式，当特定类型的生物膜被允许在金属表面形成时，就会产生这种腐蚀。这种有害微生物的积累被称为生物污染。经过一段时间，细菌的定植导致形成侵略性环境，如硫化氢，导致高度局部腐蚀。控制生物污染和MIC最常见的方法是向环境中喷洒杀菌剂或在结构表面涂上含有杀菌剂的涂料。如果不使用杀菌剂，就有污染环境的危险。已知某些自然产生的细菌能够降低工程金属（如钢和铜合金）的腐蚀速率。在这方面，本提案旨在将适当选择的细菌纳入溶胶凝胶涂层中，然后将其应用于钢和铝合金基材，以提供以下好处；具有环境可接受且无毒的防腐系统。一种新的溶胶-凝胶涂层系统，为当前基于杀菌剂的腐蚀防护系统提供了替代方案。一种能够自我定植产生“保护性”细菌的涂层系统，这些细菌位于需要保护的确切位置，即生物膜可以形成的敏感表面位置，特别是在停滞的“低流量”条件下。

The proposed research aims to combine the benefits of two types of technology, namely sol gel chemistry and microbiology.Sol gel technology is now recognised as a potential replacement for surface pre-treatments and coatings that are environmentally unacceptable. Such treatments include chromates which are carcinogenic and phosphates which are identified as a Risk of Hazardous Substance (RoHS). Sol gel (silane-based) coatings are non-toxic and do not contain chrome(VI) and as such are environmentally compliant.Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC) is a form of accelerated corrosion which results when specific types of biofilm are allowed to form on a metal surface. This build up of unwanted microorganisms is known as biofouling. Over a period of time bacterial colonisation results in the formation of aggressive environments, such as hydrogen sulphide, which lead to highly localised corrosion. The most common approach to controlling biofouling and MIC is to dose the environment with biocides or coat the surfaces of the structure with paints that contain biocides. If the biocides are not contained there is a risk of environmental pollution. Certain naturally occuring bacteria are know to be able to reduce the corrosion rates of engineering metals such as steel and copper alloys. In this respect this proposal aims to incorporate suitably chosen bacteria within a sol gel coating which is then applied to the steel and Al alloy substrates in order to provide the following benefits;1. A corrosion protection system that is environmentally acceptable and non-toxic.2. A new sol-gel coating system that offers an alternative to current biocide-based corrosion protection systems.3. A coating system that self-colonises producing 'protective' bacteria that are located at the exact site requiring protection, namely at susceptible surface sites where a biofilm can develop, especially under stagnant 'low flow ' conditions.