Prevention of biofouling using photocatalytic nanocoatings
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLAN - Skolan för Information och Kommunikations teknik, Electrum Kista |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 33 515 |
| Project duration | June 2016 - August 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The main goal of the project was to start collaboration between Dr. Dobretsov (SQU) and Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). This goal was successfully achieved. Moreover, fruitful connections with researchers from Science Park, Gothenburg University and Karolinska Institute were established. A Vinnmer Marie Curie Incoming and EU Horizon 2020 project proposals were discussed and will be submitted in the future. As planned during the visit, some experimental tests on development of new green antifouling coatings using visible light photocatalysis of sea water were done.
Expected results and effects
The most relevant outcomes of this project are: (i) Preliminary tests on photocatalytic nanorod coatings were done. (ii) Dr.Dobretsov met the Swedish colleagues at KTH, SP and Karolinska Institute. The interest in collaborating clearly emerged. (iii) The competences of scientists of KTH, SP and Karolinska and the expertise of Dr. Dobretsov were perfectly complementary and provide a solid ground for a successful research activity. The Vinnmer Marie Curie Incoming Project and EU Horizon 2020 proposal will be submitted.
Planned approach and implementation
Dr. Dobretsov spent three weeks in KTH and met colleagues of Prof. Dutta in KTH and Prof. Moustapha Hassan from Karolinska Institute. During the short visit to Gothenburg, Dr. Dobretsov discussed possibilities of join research with Drs. Emiliano Pinori and Mattias Berlin from SP and Prof. Hans Elwing from Gothenburg University. During the second and third week two preliminary tests on antifouling properties of photocatalytic nanorod coatings were done. The results suggested that selected materials can be used as new green antifouling coatings. The overall strategy was successful.