Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Hydrogel-Based Fouling Release Coating

Abstract

With the rapid development of marine transportation industry, biological fouling not only affects the speed of navigation but also highly increases fuel consumption. In the paper, a novel hydrogel-based fouling release coating is developed to address the issue by a combination of non-stick property with a low surface tension of the coating. A hydrogel-based silicone fouling release coating was synthesized and two kinds of different intermediate coatings were studied to give a proper match as the tie layer between the substrate coated with primer and the hydrogel silicone on the surface. The adhesion strength, surface tension as well as surface topography of the fouling release coating were studied. The corrosion resistance and anti-fouling performance of the substrates sprayed with the coating were characterized by salt spray test and immersion test in a simulated marine system. The results show that the adhesion between the substrate and the fouling release coating is grade two measured by grid test. The water contact angle of the coating is 104.8o and Rz of the coating is 10.71μm. The specimen is intact after 1000 hours under salt spray test. No diatom was found settled on the specimens in a simulated static marine system while a little diatom was observed on the specimens in a simulated dynamic marine system. It has been found that the intermediate coating comprising of epoxy resin gives proper match between the primer and the fouling release coating consisting of PDMS resin. The coating exhibits superior anti-fouling performance under stationary state.