Investigation of the Effect of Surface Charge on the Wettability of Glass Surface for Controlled Surface Bio-Fouling

The contact angle value is a useful indicator providing the hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristic of the solid surfaces due to its close relationship between surface charge and wettability. Smooth glass surface being a good example of a solid surface consist of a lot of silanol groups, which is the major factor for the interaction with outside environment. These interactions are governed by the surface chemistry defined by the number and ionization constants of the surface silanol groups along with the surface charge properties. In the present study, the availability of protons on the glass surface was varied by treating them with alkali and acid solution. The contact angle (θ) of the obtained glass surfaces was measured using water droplet with different pH. From the cosθ‒pH plot the charge density of the surfaces was calculated by using presently available literature. Finally, the correlation between protein adsorption onto the surfaces with surface charge was made, which vastly governs the technique of controlled befouling.

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