Non-Biocidal Antifouling Coating of Outdoor Textiles with CeO2 Nanozymes

Abstract

Biofouling on outdoor textiles such as canvas, ropes, and awnings poses hygiene and durability challenges, typically countered with environmentally harmful biocides. Here, we present a non-biocidal, green antifouling strategy that avoids conventional leaching biocides, based on the haloperoxidase-like activity of ceria nanoparticles (CeO2 nanozymes), which mimic natural enzymes used by macroalgae to disrupt bacterial quorum sensing. CeO2 nanoparticles were integrated onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics using a scalable pad-dry-cure process with a commercial polyacrylate binder. The resulting coatings are uniform, wash-resistant, and mechanically robust, maintaining catalytic activity over extended use. Characterization included SEM, XRD, UV−Vis spectroscopy, ICP-OES, abrasion and weathering tests, droplet penetration measurements, tensile strength testing, and fluorescence-based quantification of bacterial biofilm formation, which were conducted to evaluate the morphology, durability, wettability, catalytic activity, and biofilm repellence of the coated textiles. Enzymatic assays confirmed long-term haloperoxidase-like activity of the bound CeO2, while bacterial colonization studies using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Phaeobacter gallaeciensis as bacterial model organisms demonstrated a clear inhibition of biofilm formation without biocidal effects. These multifunctional coatings offer sustainable, durable protection against microbial contamination for weatherproof outdoor textiles.