Visible-light-responsive Fe 2 O 3 –TiO 2 –carbon dot nanocomposite coatings for enhanced biofouling mitigation in aquaculture cage nets
Abstract
= 21° peak suggested the presence of low-crystalline CDs in the matrix, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposite uniformly coated over silane-pretreated polyethylene exhibited strong interfacial bonding between CD aromatic moieties and glycidyloxy C-O-C groups. Nets coated with a 0.05% FeTiCD nanocomposite exhibited excellent biofouling resistance in a six-month field trial. Fe(iii) doping introduced mid-gap states, enabling efficient electron transfer to CDs and sustained reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thereby disrupting the attachment of biofouling organisms. This nanocomposite offers a scalable, low-impact antifouling solution that supports more sustainable aquaculture operations.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
Algal biology and biofuel production
Publication details
- Journal / source
- RSC Advances
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 6394–6407
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN