Preparation of non-toxic green slippery liquid infused surfaces based on electrospun fiber with anti-algae and anti-bacterial properties

Microbial attachment is a problem of vital importance and economic significance, particularly in marine environments. Slippery Liquid Infused Surfaces (SLIPS) have attracted considerable interest as a solution to this challenge. In the present study, we hypothesized that Saint John's Wort Oil (SJWO) could provide an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic oils, combating marine microbial attachment with non-toxic chemicals. We developed a hydrophobic electrospun porous cellulose acetate fiber layer, coated with silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs), and infused with SJWO. The optimization process involved measuring sliding velocity, the number of SiO2NP layers, the amount of lubricant, and the infusion time. The optimal configuration demonstrated a sliding velocity of 0.31 cm/s on a 10 degrees slope. Antibacterial tests revealed that the SLIPS reduced bacterial attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 1.67 +/- 0.03 x 106 CFU/mL on glass substrates to 2.85 +/- 0.07 x 105 CFU/mL for SLIPS. Similarly, the anti-algae performance against Chlorella sp. showed a significant reduction in optical density from 0.92 +/- 0.01 for glass substrates to 0.19 +/- 0.01 for SLIPS, and chlorophyll content was reduced from 7.24 +/- 0.19 mu g/mL to 3.70 +/- 0.77 mu g/mL. The findings indicate that SJWO-infused SLIPS provide a robust and effective method for reducing microbial attachment.