LAUSR

Abstract Biofouling is a problem that needs to be urgently solved. Preparation of microstructures on material surfaces is usually employed to inhibit biofouling, but it is restricted by the complexity of biofouling species. Nisin is an antibacterial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis. Here, nisin was bonded on glass microstructural surfaces, using dopamine as a coupling agent, to prepare a physical-biological synergistic antifouling coating. The results of FT-IR and XPS analyses indicated that nisin was grafted onto glass substrates. Density functional theory was used to further explain interactions among nisin, dopamine, and glass. Sample antifouling tests were employed using Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Bacillus sp. and the results exhibited that these modified samples inhibited the attachment of both algae and bacteria.