Electrochemical Prevention of Biofouling Using Pt/IrO2-Coated Titanium Electrode

Pt/IrO2-coated titanium was developed as the electrode for prevention of biofouling. When a potential of 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl was applied to the Pt/IrO2-coated titanium electrode in seawater, 3% of marine bacteria attached to the electrode survived after 60 min. Almost no change in pH and chlorine concentration was observed after applying 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl in the bulk seawater. When alternating potentials of 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl and cycling potentials of −0.3 ≫ −0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl were applied, prevention of biofouling was successfully achieved in the field experiment. Also, cleaning of electrode surface was achieved electrochemically by applying the potential of 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl.