Not Available

Not AvailableUse of copper based antifouling coatings is undesirable in cage aquaculture due to its toxic effects. Intensive research is being carried out across the world on other technological interventions that control fouling with least threat to the culture species and the environment. A study on nano sized material-based coatings for antifouling was undertaken to address the problem of fouling in cage netting. Among the different nano sized materials tried singly and in combination, the combination of nano copper oxide and titanium oxide was found very effective. Polyamide (nylon) webbings were treated with nano copper oxide and nano titanium oxide in different ratios and the results showed excellent fouling resistance under marine environments. The samples of nylon multifilament netting of 210x2x2 and 30 mm mesh,treated with nano sized copper and titanium oxide were exposed to estuarine environments and the samples were drawn at monthly intervals upto 90 days. Further, nettings samples of 1.5 sq.m. treated with the nano materials and exposed continuously to estuarine waters for 90 days showed that the nano material coated netting was completely free from fouling. The spectrophotometric evaluation and scanning electron micrographs showed that the nano materials were strongly adhered over the nylon netting materials. The nano materials occupy the interstices of polyamide polymeric chain and interact strongly with lone pair electrons of nitrogen and hence a co-ordinated complex is formed. The technology has potential for fouling control in nylon nettings used for cage aquaculture.Not Availabl