Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/N, N-dimethylformamide slurry amount on fouling release performance of silicone coatings

Abstract

MWCNTs reinforced silicone coatings were prepared by mechanically mixing hydroxyl-capped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes/N, N-dimethylformamide (MWCNTs/DMF) slurries. The effects of MWCNTs/DMF slurry amount on the fouling release performance of silicone coatings were investigated. Incorporation of 5 wt% MWCNTs/DMF slurry increased the elongation and reduced Young's modulus, Shore's hardness, and roughness observed. As a result, an excellent silicone coating was fabricated with stable surface properties, fouling release performance, economic savings, and prolonged longevity for marine applications. Silicone coatings reinforced by MWCNTs were prepared by mechanical blending. MWCNTs are tubular crystals 30–80 nm in diameter and less than 10 μm long. The effects of MWCNTs/DMF slurry amount on the coating properties were investigated by dispersion properties, surface properties, mechanical properties, marine bacteria adhesion, and Navicula tenera adhesion test. The most favorable fouling release performance with the lowest roughness (0.168 ± 0.008 μm), the minimum Shore's hardness (18.47 HA), and the minimum relative adhesion factor (5.88 RAF) were shown for the silicone coatings prepared with 5 wt% MWCNTs/DMF slurry.