Fouling Release Coatings Based on Polydimethylsiloxane with the Incorporation of Phenylmethylsilicone Oil

Miao Ba,Zhanping Zhang,Yuhong Qi

doi:10.3390/coatings8050153

Abstract

In this study, phenylmethylsilicone oil (PSO) with different viscosity was used for research in fouling release coatings based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The surface properties and mechanical properties of the coatings were investigated, while the leaching behavior of PSO from the coatings was studied. Subsequently, the antifouling performance of the coatings was investigated by the benthic diatom adhesion test. The results showed that the coatings with high-viscosity PSO exhibited high levels of hydrophobicity and PSO leaching, while the high PSO content significantly decreased the elastic modulus of the coatings and prolonged the release time of PSO. The antifouling results indicated that the incorporation of PSO into coatings enhanced the antifouling performance of the coating by improving the coating hydrophobicity and decreasing the coating elastic modulus, while the leaching of PSO from the coatings improved the fouling removal rate of the coating. This suggests a double enhancement effect on the antifouling performance of fouling release coatings based on PDMS with PSO incorporated.

Highlights

IntroductionFor a long time, painting antifouling coatings on seawater-impregnated substrates has been an effective way to inhibit the attachment of marine organisms
Marine biofouling refers to the colonization of submerged surfaces by marine micro- and macro-organisms, and is a worldwide problem affecting maritime and aquatic industries [1,2,3,4,5].For a long time, painting antifouling coatings on seawater-impregnated substrates has been an effective way to inhibit the attachment of marine organisms
phenylmethylsilicone oil (PSO) incorporated into the coatings decreased the surface free energies of the coatings, which were calculated by the Owens two-liquid method

Summary

Introduction

For a long time, painting antifouling coatings on seawater-impregnated substrates has been an effective way to inhibit the attachment of marine organisms. It has been widely applied, such as in shipping vessels, heat exchangers, offshore rigs, jetties, aquaculture cages, and other submerged structures in the marine environment [6,7]. Self-polishing antifouling coatings incorporating tributyltin-based compounds (TBT-based coatings) are the most efficient. In 2001 the International Marine Organization (IMO) forbade the use of TBT-based coatings. The biocide used in the marine environment is under strict control in many countries, and it has become a driving force for the development of environmentally-friendly alternative coatings, which mainly include fouling-resistant coatings, fouling release coatings, and fouling degrading coatings [8,9,10,11,12]

Methods

Results

Conclusion