Fluorosurfactants to inhibit bacterial adhesion to submerged surfaces and methods and compositions to control biological fouling

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and compositions to inhibit bacteria from adhering to a submergible surface. The method contacts the submergible surface with an effective amount of at least one fluorosurfactant to inhibit bacterial adhesion to the submergible surface. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling biofouling of an aqueous system. This method adds an effective amount of at least one fluorosurfactant to inhibit bacteria from adhering to a submerged surface within the aqueous system. This method effectively controls biofouling without substantially killing the bacteria fouling organisms. The fluorosurfactant used in the method of the invention is an anionic or nonionic fluorosurfactant selected from: RfCH2CH2SCH2CH2CO2Li, (RfCH2CH2O)P(O)(ONH4)2, (RfCH2CH2O)2P(O)(ONH4), (RfCH2CH2O)P(O)(OH)2, (RfCH2CH2O)2P(O)(OH), RfCH2CH2O(CH2CH2O)xH, RfCH2CH2O(CH2CH2O)yH, RfCH2CH2SO3H, or mixtures thereof. The group Rf is F(CF2CF2)3-8, X varies from 2-20, and y varies from 2-20.