Design of an efficient antifouling strategy for underwater optical window based on chlorine generation

Underwater optical instruments are subjecting marine biofouling, which leads to inaccuracy of data acquisition. In order to solve the biofouling of the optical instrument, a specific electrochemical chlorination device with highly efficient chlorine evolution reaction (CER) catalyst prepared by potentiostatic electrodeposition was designed and utilized. The catalytic activity, CER selectivity , and durability of the as-prepared CER catalyst are better than the noble metal catalysts in near-neutral seawater . Compared with the common optical glass , the application of the chlorination instrument effectively inhibits the bacterial settlement, and helps to maintain high light transmittance of the optical window. This work offers a useful strategy for the antifouling of marine optical equipment .