Abstract
Copolymers containing MQ silicone and acrylate were synthesized by controlling the additive amount of compositions. Subsequently, fouling release coatings based on the copolymer with the incorporation of non-reactive phenylmethylsilicone oil were prepared. The surface properties of the coating (CAMQ40) were consistent with that of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, which ensured good hydrophobicity. Moreover, the seawater volume swelling rate of all prepared coatings was less than 5%, especially for CAMQ40 with only 1.37%. Copolymers enhanced the mechanical properties of the coatings, while the enhancement was proportional to the molar content of structural units from acrylate in the copolymer. More importantly, the adhesion performance between the prepared coatings and substrates indicated that pull-off strength values were more than 1.6 MPa, meaning a high adhesion strength. The phenylmethylsilicone oil leaching observation determined that the oil leaching efficiency increased with the increase in the structural unit’s molar content from MQ silicone in the copolymer, which was mainly owing to the decrease in compatibility between oil and the cured coating, as well as the decrease in mechanical properties. High oil leaching efficiency could make up for the decrease in the biofouling removal rate due to the enhancement of the elastic modulus. For CAMQ40, it had an excellent antifouling performance at 30 days of exposure time with more than 92% of biofouling removal rate, which was confirmed by biofilm adhesion assay.
Highlights
Biofouling of immersed artificial facilities is the accumulation and growth of unwanted biomolecules and organisms on surfaces through a dynamic process with considerable consequences [1,2], which is devastating for the ecological and economic status of the ocean industry [3,4]
With the promulgation of regulations and legislations on prohibiting some toxic biocides, as well as limiting the use of other chemicals to decrease the influence on the environment [5,12], studies have been processed to increase the antifouling efficiency based on satisfying environmental protection requirements, which generally include (i) preventing biofouling from attaching to surface, (ii) reducing biofouling adhesion strength on the immersed substrate surface, and (iii) degrading/killing of biofoulings [2,5,6,14,21,22]
Crosslinked MVMQ resin is considered to be a double-layer compact spherical structure, which is terminated by the trimethylsilyl groups
Summary
Biofouling of immersed artificial facilities is the accumulation and growth of unwanted biomolecules and organisms on surfaces through a dynamic process with considerable consequences [1,2], which is devastating for the ecological and economic status of the ocean industry [3,4]. With the promulgation of regulations and legislations on prohibiting some toxic biocides, as well as limiting the use of other chemicals to decrease the influence on the environment [5,12], studies have been processed to increase the antifouling efficiency based on satisfying environmental protection requirements, which generally include (i) preventing biofouling from attaching to surface (fouling-resistant coatings), (ii) reducing biofouling adhesion strength on the immersed substrate surface (fouling-release coatings, FR coatings), and (iii) degrading/killing of biofoulings (fouling-degrading coatings) [2,5,6,14,21,22]. Non-reactive silicone oil leaches to the surface between the coating and seawater, which can effectively improve the antifouling performance, especially the inhibition of barnacles’ adhesion [32], and act as the flexible protective layer on the surface, to ensure the long-term smoothness of the coatings [23]. Antifouling performance of FR coating with high adhesion strength to substrates
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