Effects of natural inhibitors-modified superhydrophobic coatings on BaSO 4 scaling and the associated surface interaction mechanisms

The management of inorganic scale is a critical issue in industrial systems such as desalination and subsurface oil production, especially barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ), which leads to blockages and damage in pipelines and equipment. BaSO 4 is strongly bound to the wall of piping and it is difficult to remove them through common operations. Herein, this study presents a strategy for the development of scale inhibitors and superhydrophobic coatings, primarily focusing on the mechanism that the coating interface impedes the crystallization of BaSO 4 and prevents the formation of scales. Ellagic acid (EA), a bioavailable polyphenol, exhibits excellent scale inhibition properties. This study focuses on the development of the EA-modified superhydrophobic anodized aluminum (ESAA) coating, which offers a novel approach that combines hydrophobic properties with crystallization inhibition capabilities. It shows an 80 % increase in performance over untreated coatings within 10 days. Employing bulk crystallization analysis and microfluidic crystal growth dynamics, we have illustrated the capacity of EA to interfere with BaSO 4 nucleation and crystal growth through specific coordination interactions, achieving a complete inhibition rate at a dosage of 50 mg/L under neutral conditions. On the other hand, the superhydrophobic nature of the ESAA coating is attributed to an abundant air film existence on the substrate-liquid interface that reduces or inhibits. This research proposed a green and efficient strategy for scale inhibition and advances the understanding of crystallization inhibition in scale inhibition processes, providing a new horizon for the study of sustainable and effective alternatives to traditional scale inhibitors for industrial applications.