Biofouling potential of surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based seawater quality sensors by Ulva spp.

This study investigated the biofouling potential of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensor materials in the context of marine environments. Uncoated and monolithic commercial gold (Au) silicon nanopillar array SERS substrates, Au-coated carbon black nanoparticle (AuCB NP) substrates, uncoated and Au sputter-coated in-house SERS, and uncoated and Au sputter-coated glass controls were tested for biofouling potential using Ulva spp. as model biofouling organisms. The mean percentages of Ulva spp. zoospores that adhered per mm² (×10³) on the uncoated and coated Au silicon nanopillar array, AuCB NP, uncoated and Au sputter-coated in-house, and uncoated and Au sputter-coated glass substrates were 10.28%, 5.45%, 10.49%, 3.25%, 24.84%, 12.86% and 7.78%, respectively. Results indicated that surface properties such as hydrophobicity, roughness, Au sputter-coating and the presence of micro-refuges on nano- and microstructured substrates were critical to the biofouling formation.